(Atlantic) Atlantic opened the 2020/2021 boys basketball season with a 62-36 road win over Creston on Tuesday night.
Atlantic senior Craig Alan Becker buried a three-point shot out of the gate, and the Trojans raced out to a 17-4 first-quarter lead and never trailed in the game. Skyler Handlos led the Trojans scoring with 16-points, Dayton Templeton tossed in 14, and Garrett Reynolds scored 10.
Colby Burg led the Panthers with 14.
Handlos buried a three-point basket to give the Trojans a 17-4 cushion at the end of the first quarter while limiting Creston to just one field goal. The Trojans extended their lead 30-16 at the break. Handlos and Dayton Templeton led the charge with eight points apiece in the first half.
“I thought we controlled the glass, and it was a team rebounding effort,” said Atlantic Head Coach Jeff Ebling. “Obviously, Garrett Reynold pulled down quite a few rebounds, but Skyler was in there, Dayton Templeton, Ethan Williams, Craig Alan Becker-they were all fighting for the ball. We didn’t give Creston a lot of second opportunities, and we played good defense.”
The visitor’s kept their foot on the gas in the third quarter, and built at 52-27 lead after three-quarters, and pushed the score to 62-36 at the final bell.
“It was nice to see the energy from our guys,” said Coach Ebling. “For the most part, I thought our conditioning was really good. I am very pleased with their performance, but it’s just the first game of the season, and we have a long ways to go.”
Besides Handlos, Templeton, and Reynolds double-digit scoring efforts, Craig Alan Becker scored six points, Grant Sturm five, and Caden Andersen tossed in two points for the Trojans.
Brance Baker, Kaden Briggs, and Evan Bruce each scored four points, and Kyle Strider, Patrick Varner, and Avery Fuller added two points apiece for the Panthers.
The (1-0) Trojans host Glenwood on Friday night. Creston falls to 0-2.
