COLONEY — The Crest Lancers built a bit more momentum for Monday’s playoff opener against South Haven with a win Friday over Three Rivers League rival Yates Center 56-40.
The Lancers and Wildcats kicked off the contest with a slugfest, but consistent scoring in the second and third quarters lifted Crest to success while Yates Center regroups for its Friday night playoff opener against Central Heights.
“We knew they had a couple of guys we needed to key on and make sure they’re not catching the ball if at all,” Crest coach Dakota Sporing said. “We made their life tougher than a normal game and played off that. We were pressuring the ball, deflecting passes, jumping passing lanes. We talked about our defense helping out our offense and that’s where things started for us tonight.”
A trio of field goals from sophomore guard Ben Cook, including a buzzer-beating dunk to cap off the first quarter, put Yates Center in contention early, along with scores from sophomore guards Gavin Busteed and Marcus Cummings. As Yates Center’s offense waned in the second quarter, Crest took control, leading 29-13 going into halftime.
Although having a reputation as a 3-point shooter, Crest junior Lane Yocham did most of his damage inside the arc. Opening with a trio of field goals in the first quarter, Yocham kept his hot hand in the second with seven points on a pair of field goals and a 3-pointer. Senior forward Levi Prasko carried the Lancers from there with nine of his 13 points coming in the second half.
“It was the crowd, and the noise helping us on defense,” Prasko said. “It helped us on offense, but I feed on the crowd and my teammates hyping me up. It was our sixth man. That will help us against South Haven.”
With the win, the Lancers improved to 18-5. Yocham had a team-leading 16 points, followed by Prasko with 13, then Henry White with 11.
For Yates Center, the Wildcats are 12-11 overall. Cook was Yates Center’s leading scorer with 14 points, followed by Busteed and junior guard Evan McVey with seven points each.
“We were out-hustling them and out-working them,” White said. “I had confidence with my shot. I had to try a little harder and a little of it was luck. I’m excited to have another home game. We have to be ready to play and expect to win.”
The result from Monday’s Crest vs. South Haven contest was not available at press time. As for Yates Center, they have a bit more time to prepare. Despite the loss Friday, Coach Lane Huffman and the Wildcats will be ready for the Central Heights Vikings Friday.
“This is a game we lost earlier in the year after having a large lead. The boys are hungry to avenge that loss,” Huffman said.
