HUMBOLDT — Crest High’s Lady Lancers sputtered a bit down the stretch, but had enough gas left in their proverbial tank to fend off Erie High, 36-31, in the opening round of the Humboldt Preseason Tournament Tuesday.
Crest (2-0 overall) had been downright stifling on defense throughout, and held a 32-18 lead over the Red Devils entering the fourth quarter.
But with several players affected by illness, depth concerns soon began to materialize.
The Red Devils outscored Crest, 13-4, in the fourth quarter, but could not get within six before the final horn.
“We were tired, but we still played smart at the end,” Crest head coach Steve Zimmerman said.
A trio of Crest players took turns starring on offense.
Aylee Beckmon had the hot shooting touch early, drilling a pair of 3-pointers, while Makayla Hermreck exerted her offensive dominance in the second period, scoring eight points as part of a 15-4 Lady Lancer spurt.
“Not bad for a volleyball player,” Zimmerman joked. Hermreck, a senior, has been an all-league performer at both volleyball and basketball throughout high school, and has signed to play volleyball at Butler Community College next year.
Kinley Edgerton scored on back-to-back buckets in the third quarter before Uniontown mounted its comeback.
“Kinley is gonna have a big year for us,” Zimmerman predicted. “She works hard on defense, and she can make shots. She’s just a good all-around player.”
Beckmon, who fell ill after the game, led Crest with 14 points. Hermreck wound up with 12; Edgerton eight.
Zimmerman was uncertain how full his team’s tank will be by the time the Lady Lancers wrap up tournament play Thursday and Friday against Humboldt and Uniontown, respectively. Both opponents are keen on applying defensive pressure from start to finish.
“We’re just surviving right now,’ he said
Erie (6-4-8-13—31)
FG/3pt FT F TP
