Crestview pulls away from Allen East

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

HARROD — A strong fourth quarter propelled Crestview to a 66-55 victory over Allen East on Friday night.

With the game tied 42-42 entering the fourth quarter, the Knights outscored the Mustangs 24-13 in the final stanza. Kalen Etzler and Kaden Short each had seven points in the final period, while Carson Kreischer added six of his game high 18 points to go along with seven rebounds. Etzler finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Short added 14 points, as the Knights improved to 4-7 (1-2 NWC).

“It was great to have the balance we had tonight with three guys scoring in double figures,” Crestview head coach Doug Etzler said. “This is the second game in a row where we did a good job of finding the open man and several guys stepped up and hit shots.”

Crestview held a one point lead, 15-14, after one quarter, with eight points coming from Kreischer.

“Allen East played a box and 1 on Kalen and I thought we did a good job of moving the vall and finding Carson when he flashed to the middle,” Etzler explained. “Carson did a great job of finding the gaps in the middle of their box and 1 and finished when he got it.”

Allen East’s Bradden Crumrine and Logan McCluer combined to score 11 points in the second quarter and the Mustangs had a 30-29 halftime lead. McCluer went on to finish with 17, while Keaton Lehman and Mason Dotson each scored 10.

Crestview’s Michael Joseph hit a pair of treys in the third quarter, while Short knocked down a free throw and a basket.

Crestview finished the game 17 of 21 from the foul line, while Allen East (4-8, 0-3 NWC) was 9 of 12. The Knights enjoyed a 26-18 rebounding advantage.

The Knights will host Arlington tonight.

Scoring summary

Allen East 14 16 12 13 – 55
Crestview 15 14 13 24 – 66

Allen East: Bradden Crumrine 2-2-8; Logan McCluer 7-0-17; Garett Newland 2-0-4; Keaton Lehman 3-3-10; Zach Miller 1-0-2; Gabe Criblez 1-2-4; Logan Dotson 3-2-10

Crestview: Kalen Etzer 4-4-15; Kaden Short 3-8-14; Gavin Etzler 1-0-2; Brody Brecht 1-2-4; Michael Joseph 2-0-6; Carson Kreischer 9-0-18; JJ Ward 2-2-6

JV: Crestview 48-38 (OT)