HUMBOLDT — The Crest boys’ basketball team’s search for an identity continued on Tuesday night with a 44-25 loss to Erie in the first round of the Emprise Bank Basketball Tournament in Humboldt.
“We have the ability to score some points,” Crest coach Travis Hermreck said of his offense. “Right now, we are in disarray though. We have to learn and we better learn quick.”
Despite the loss, the catalyst for the future may be stepping to the forefront with sophomore Hayden Hermreck beginning to show what he can do as a primary scoring option for the Lancers.
“When he gets his opportunities, he has to take them,” Travis Hermreck said. “He is a tough match-up, he is 6-4 and can get up into the air. He can also shoot it a little bit. He just has to be smart and know when to go and when not to.”
Hermreck scored 15 of Crest’s 25 total points in the loss and after his team fell behind 15-0 in the first quarter, it was Hermreck that the Lancers turned to try and get back into the game.
“We were in the situation where we fell behind,” Travis Hermreck said. “We just had to keep playing because the big picture is all about getting better. We don’t want to give up and have a wasted night.
“We could have easily thrown in the towel and gotten beat 70-10 or something like that, so I am proud of the kids for competing.”
Hermreck cut the margin to 15-4 with a three-point basket early in the second quarter. The sophomore converted a three-point play in the final minute of the half to get his team back within 18-9.
Erie closed the half with a put-back basket and opened the third quarter with a basket to stretch the lead to 22-9, but Hermreck answered with another three-pointer and Austin Hendrix followed with a basket to cut the lead to 22-14.
That is as close as the Lancers would get though and the Red Devils began to dominate the rebounding category and they extended the advantage 33-17 at the end of the third quarter.
Erie capitalized on an exhausted Crest squad in the fourth quarter and the Red Devils were able to control the final period and cruise to the 19-point win.
“We have to play harder on defense,” Travis Hermreck said. “We stand too much on defense, we end up straight-legged and just watching. That is not characteristic of Crest basketball, it is quite the opposite in fact. We have to get that corrected immediately.”
Crest played their first game of the season with their full squad. Junior Hayden Seabolt missed the Lancers’ first game, but got the start at a forward spot against Erie.
“He gives us a little bit of depth,” Travis Hermreck said. “He is a kid that can put up some points, play defense and rebound the ball. He is like everyone else, he needs to play and figure out what is going on.”
UP NEXT
Crest will face Humboldt on Thursday in the second round of game in the round-robin style tournament. The Cubs are 1-0 in the tournament so far and 2-0 on the season.
Humboldt beat Uniontown 70-44 on Tuesday.
BOX SCORE
Erie 44, Crest 25
Erie 15 5 13 11 – 44
Crest 0 9 8 8 – 25
Erie
Ashton Clevenger 14, Aaron Yarnell 9, Dylan Richwine 16, Garrett McGuire 3, Zack Thompson 2.
Crest (0-2)
Nick Vaughn 4, Nate Berry 2, Austin Hendrix 3, Hayden Hermreck 15, Caleb Stephens 1.
