(Creston) Makenna Schroeder drilled a buzzer-beating three from well beyond the arc to lift Atlantic to a dramatic 45–43 Hawkeye Ten Conference girls’ basketball victory over Creston on Monday night in Creston.
The back-and-forth contest featured nine lead changes and four ties. Creston appeared poised to escape with the win after forward Braylee Pokorny knocked down a go-ahead three from the left corner with just over 10 seconds remaining. The shot — only Pokorny’s second three-pointer of the season — put the Panthers ahead 43–42.
Atlantic quickly pushed the ball up the floor on the final possession. Schroeder received a pass, stepped behind the arc, and launched a three-pointer that splashed through the net as time expired, sealing the Trojans’ thrilling 45–43 win.
Creston held a 13–8 lead after one quarter and carried a 23–21 advantage into halftime. Atlantic responded in the third quarter, outscoring the Panthers 12–8 to take a 33–31 lead heading into the final period.
Makenna Schroeder played a key role down the stretch, knocking down a three-pointer to give the Trojans a 42–40 lead before later delivering the game-winner. Schroeder capped the night by burying a long-range shot as time expired, sealing Atlantic’s 45–43 victory.
Atlantic Head Coach Dan Vargason says it took some time find some rhythm offensively.
This isn’t the first time the Trojans have produced in the clutch. Vargason says it is a tribute to the team’s resiliency and poise.
Schroeder led Atlantic with 14 points, Katrina Williams finished with 11 points and ten steals, and Madison McLaren finished with 10. Zoey Kirchhoff added six points, and Peyton McLaren chipped in four.
Kadley Bailey and Ella Turner led the Panthers with 11 points each, and Hollynn Rieck and Braylee Pokorny contributed seven points each. Marlee Stalker, five, and Jensen Tussey tossed in one field goal for two points.
The Trojans have now won four straight games, and improve to 10-7 and 5-2 in the conference. Creston falls to 8-7 and 4-3 in conference play.
