THIRD TIMES A CHARM FOR CRESTVIEW

STRUTHERS OH- Crestview and Liberty has already met two times this season coming in to Wednesday night’s district semifinal matchup. Liberty took both games. The first matchup was a lopsided 18 point Leopard win, the second was much more competitive as the Rebels cut it to 4. They say third time is a charm and that couldn’t be more true for Crestview as this time they dominated Liberty from the tip and upset the Struthers district 1 seed 69-53.

Liberty actually started the game on top. They hit some perimeter shots to take leads in the first quarter. Crestview was able to score right with them, which would become a huge advantage as the game went on. Unlike the first two matchups, the Rebels did not let the Leopards get out to a big lead. After a quarter Liberty led by just one 12-11.

The shift of momentum came in the closing minutes of the second quarter when Crestview went on a 12-0 run to end the half and turn a 16-15 deficit to a 27-16 halftime lead. That lead only grew as the third quarter ticked on. Crestview saw themselves up by 18 midway through the third. They could taste the upset. However, Liberty has a quick strike offense and everyone in the gym understood that this could be a close game real quick. The Leopards held true to their form to close out the third and cut the Rebel lead to 10. A bucket right before the buzzer of the third made it 47-35 Crestview after 3.

In the fourth quarter it was clear
Liberty’s strategy was to put Crestview on the free throw line and make the game longer. That backfired as Crestview shot 21 for 27 on the line. Free throw shooting kept the Leopards at bay and secured the big upset victory for the Rebels.

Crestview has four players in double figures, and was led by Tanner Hoffer with 19. Krista Perry finished with 16, Addison Bandy got herself 15. Mara Halas added 10.

Crestview advances to the district championship against South Range on Saturday night at Struthers. The start time is set for 7:00.