Storm Tops Minatare in First Round D1-12

Creek Valley's Storm Basketball team defeated the Minatare Indians Monday at Sidney High School in the first round of the D1-12 Subdistrict Tournament by a final score of 44-to-33.

The game started with Creek Valley junior Oakley Hodges draining a three pointer, only to have Minatare junior Dario Rodriguez respond with a three point hit of his own. Both teams used defensive pressure to force turnovers and bad shots, and then teams battled to a 10-to-9 Creek Valley edge at the end of the first. But the Storm started to take over the game as the second quarter progressed, with Creek Valley jumping out to a seven-point lead after Hodges grabbed a rebound and threw a long pass to sophomore Eli Schmid who then laid the ball in for two points.

Creek Valley then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and put up two more points. Minatare finally scored on a layup and foul, but then Creek Valley junior Justin Ningen returned the favor on an athletic layup that had him cross from the left side to the right. Hodges then scored five more points on a jumper then a three pointer, and sophomore Landon Mahon put up two more points to end the half with a 25-to-14 lead.

With Creek Valley's pressure defense forcing turnovers and bad passes, the Indians could not get enough scoring opportunities to close the deficit. Creek Valley's offense was able to score, while the Indians struggled to get good looks. Turnovers and a paltry 4-of-17 performance at the free throw line was more than the Minatare squad could overcome, and Creek Valley cruised to a 44-to-33 victory. Mahon led the Creek Valley scoring with 15 points in the win. The Storm was scheduled to face Paxton at Sidney in the second round of the tournament on Tuesday.