Lady Knights defeat rival Lincolnview

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — A 15-3 run during the third quarter along with a big rebounding advantage allowed Crestview to pull away from Lincolnview 52-32 at Ray Etzler Gymnasium on Thursday night.

Leading 21-11 at halftime, the Lady Knights began the third period with a pair of foul shots by Olivia Cunningham, a triple by Lexi Gregory, and two free throws by Gregory. After Lincolnview’s Brianna Ebel drained a trey, Laci McCoy answered with a bucket, Gregory put in two more foul shots and Aleigh Chesbro hit a mid range jumper to put Crestview ahead 36-14.

“I think a lot of that derived from our defense, making plays on the defensive end, holding them to one shot then pushing up the floor,” Crestview head coach Mark Gregory said. “I thought we were so unselfish tonight. There were times where we got it up the floor and could have taken a good shot, but we passed for a great shot and that’s where that explosion happened in the third quarter.”

“It’s very tough to guard a team like that and that is why we thought going zone would help our chances and it did for the most part, but they are very quick and very skilled,” Lincolnview head coach Kyle Williams said. “Rebounding killed us tonight and I truly believe that’s why we got beat. Hats off to Crestview for sure.”

Crestview owned a 39-15 rebounding advantage, with 17 of those coming on the offensive end. Laci McCoy led the Lady Knights with nine rebounds.

“Her rebounds early in the game got us going,” Gregory said of McCoy. “She’s still learning, she’s still young and I just love her intensity and effort.”

Lincolnview put together a 6-0 run late in the third quarter on a pair of baskets by Ebel and one by Zadria King, but Crestview’s Kylie Etzler drilled a deep three pointer at the buzzer to give the Lady Knights a 40-21 lead going into the final period.

Crestview scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter, including a bucket off an offensive rebound by Lexi Gregory, two foul shots and a basket by Bailey Gregory and a shot by Etzler. Lexi Gregory finished with 10 points, while Bailey Gregory scored six of her eight points in the final period. Etzler finished with seven points.

Lincolnview’s Kendall Bollenbacher hit two treys late in the fourth quarter, and Annie Renner added a triple. Ebel led the Lady Lancers with nine points.

“Basketball is basketball, you have to be able to put the ball in the hole to win and we didn’t do that tonight,” Williams said. “Our effort was there all game and I applaud my girls for that.”

Cunningham was Crestview’s leading scorer with 15 points, with seven of those coming in the first quarter to help the Lady Knights grab a 9-5 lead at the end of the period.

Crestview (11-9, 4-3 NWC) will play at Wayne Trace on Monday, then will finish the regular season at Paulding on Thursday.

“Wayne Trace and Paulding are playing really well, but it’s a great opportunity for us right before the tournament and I think it’s going to be a tournament-like atmosphere,” Gregory said. “I’m excited and I hope our girls are excited.”

Lincolnview (2-18, 1-6 NWC) will host Ridgemont on Tuesday and Ada on Thursday.

“I think we have two very capable wins next week and looking into tournament I think if we start putting the little things together, playing extremely hard, and knocking down shots I’m very confident in my team,” Williams said.

Scoring summary

Crestview 9 12 19 12 – 52
Lincolnview 5 6 10 11 – 32

Crestview: Kaylee Wolford 0-2-2; Bailey Gregory 3-2-8; Kylie Etzler 3-0-7; Lexi Gregory 4-1-10; Laci McCoy 3-2-8; Aleigh Chesbro 1-0-2; Olivia Cunningham 4-6-15

Lincolnview: Brianna Ebel 4-0-9; Lana Carey 0-3-3; Annie Renner 1-0-3; Sami Sellers 1-0-2; Kendall Bollenbacher 2-0-6; Zadria King 2-1-5; Annie Mendenhall 2-0-4

JV: Crestview 8-2 (two quarters)