CHETOPA — Don’t blame Coach Travis Hermreck if he has visions of Wally Pipp dancing in his head.
As sports historians may recall, Pipp was a first baseman for the New York Yankees who missed a game because of a severe headache. His replacement, Lou Gehrig, proceeded to play in the next 2,130 straight games, and Pipp lost his starting job.
While Hermreck’s predicament isn’t quite as extreme, the Crest High Lancer head coach has missed the team’s last three games because of COVID-19 protocols.
In his stead, assistant coach Dakotah Sporing improved to 3-0 Friday, as Crest rolled past host Chetopa, 68-39. The win lifts Crest’s season record to 4-4.
In girls action, the Lady Lancers fell, 51-14.
“This was more of a complete game for us,” Sporing said of the boys game. “Our intensity was better tonight, hopefully generating some momentum for us moving into next week.”
Crest took the early lead, 16-10, before turning on the jets in the second and third quarters. The Lancer lead ballooned to 44-24 by halftime, and 66-29 after three, triggering a running clock the rest of the way.
Kobey Miller once again led the way with 22 points and five rebounds, while Tyson Hermreck had 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Stetson Setter chipped in with 11 points and Keaton Davis had eight.
Miller also racked up four blocks and five assists, while Davis had four steals and four assists.
CREST’S girls had to contend with Chetopa’s Baili Conard, who exploded for 38 points in the victory.
Chetopa led 11-4 after one quarter, 25-6 at the break and 42-6 after three.
McKenna Hammond scored eight for Crest, and had five steals on defense. Kayla Hermreck chipped in with seven rebounds, three assists and one point. Haylee Beckmon added five points.
Crest is in Yates Center this week for a midseason tournament. The Lancers take on host Yates Center Tuesday. On Thursday, they’ll play Anderson County. Crest wraps up the tournament Friday against Cherryvale.
