(Atlantic) Atlantic and Creston matchup tonight in a girl/boy basketball doubleheader at Creston. The girls’ game starts at 6:00 p.m. Creston is 8-6, and Atlantic is 9-7. The Trojans won the first meeting on December 12 (54-51) in overtime.
The Trojans have won three straight and have succeeded despite being shorthanded. Head Coach Dan Vargason admits the team defense has been good in the three straight, but he is most happy about the way his ballclub adapts.
Creston is playing good basketball right now. Vargason says the Panthers’ 2-3 zone made it extremely difficult for his team the first time around. Offensively, Creston is led by Kadley Bailey, averaging 23.21 points per game; Ella Turner, 8.2; and Hollynn Rieck, 7.14 points per contest.
Katrina Williams and Makenna Schroeder lead Atlantic in scoring, averaging 10.60 and 9.13 ppg, respectively. Zoey Kirchhoff is averaging 8.69 ppg. The Trojans are also getting solid play from Brynn Lamp, Peyton McLaren, Maddie McLaren, Kaitlyn Hickman, and Jillian Saathoff.
The Atlantic boys’ team won two straight games last week, defeating Red Oak on Tuesday and Clarke on Thursday. Benny McLaren had a big scoring night against Red Oak. The freshman came off the bench and knocked down 28 points. Senior Kale Jensen scored 29 against Clarke last Thursday.
The Trojans face Creston for the second time this season. Atlantic won the first go-around 60-52 on December 12. Head Coach Dalton Franken says Creston guard Rhett Driskell, averaging 17.17 ppg, is a challenge to guard.
Coach Franken says another challenge will be which team dictates the pace.
We will broadcast both games on KS 95.7 F.M. and live stream them on westerniowatoday.com. TV and YouTube. The pre-game show for the girls’ game starts at 5:45. The tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with the boys’ game to follow.
