MORAN — A blistering start by Crest High’s boys erased any doubt early on as to who would come out on top in their annual grudge match against archrival Marmaton Valley High.
The Lancers could do little wrong — a smothering defense kept the Wildcats out of sorts, while Crest’s offense was clicking from the start — as they raced to a 22-4 lead.
The Wildcats turned things around after halftime, but not enough to get back into the proceedings in a 50-29 Crest win.
The victory, in Crest’s first game since Dec. 14, lifts the Lancers to 5-2. Marmaton Valley falls to 1-6.
“You always wonder how you will come out, but with the exception of defensive rebounding, we played very well in the first half,” Crest head coach Travis Hermreck said.
Crisp passing led to several wide open looks from outside from the Lancers in the first quarter, and the shooters were able to connect. With sophomore standout Kyle Hammond leading the way, Crest pushed its lead to 35-10 at the break. Hammond had 18 at that point.
Marmaton Valley found some momentum in the third quarter, closing to within 42-23.
“With a big lead, you want to come out and really put the other team away,” Hermreck said. “To Marmaton Valley’s credit, they didn’t let us do that.”
Hammond wound up with 28 points, narrowly missing Marmaton Valley’s output as a team.
“Kyle is such an unselfish player — our entire team is like that — and likes to get everybody involved. And then you look at the scorebook and realize he has 28 points,” Hermreck said.
Jordan Morton added eight points and Dakota Ramsey had seven.
Landon Hammond led Marmaton Valley with 10 points, while Tanner Lewis had eight. Cole Becker pulled down nine rebounds.
“It was a fun game,” Hermreck said. “It usually is with Crest-Marmaton Valley.”
Crest has another week off before traveling to Altoona-Midway next Friday. Marmaton Valley heads to St. Paul Tuesday.
Crest (22-13-7-8—50) (FG/3-pt): Wiley 0/1-2-0-5, Morton 1/2-0-1-8, K. Hammond 6/3-7-1-28, Brallier 1-0-0-2, Decker 0-0-4-0, Bowen 0-0-2-0, Ramsey 3-1-3-7. TOTALS: 11/6-10-11-50.
Marmaton Valley (7-3-13-6—29) (FG/3 -pt): Lewis 1/2-0-3-8, Louk 0/1-0-0-3, L. Hammond 4-2-3-10, Smart 3-0-2-6. TOTALS: 9/3-2-10-29.
Lancers overpower the Wildcats
