25-0. District champions. State qualifiers. The Crete boys’ basketball team has been impressive up to this point but now has its sights set on the state tournament after an 85-45 thumping of York in the district final on Feb. 27.
Crete started out with a six-point lead after one quarter but picked up the pace in the second to lead 43-20 at halftime after Aidan McDowell drained a three-pointer before the buzzer.
“Early on we were way too perimeter based on offense and we needed to get the ball inside more,” Coach Tony Siske said. “Once we did that, we just shrunk their defense and extended our lead.”
Crete made a lot of quick threes to start the game but got more shots inside during the second quarter.
Siske credited the defense during the second quarter, which held York to just seven points.
“I thought our second-quarter defense was really good and generated some offense for us as well,” he said.
The second half was more of the same for Crete as they continued to dominate on both sides of the ball and saw some of its bench players get playing time during the second half, including sophomore Carter Rezny who hit a few threes for the Cardinals.
Aidan McDowell led the Cardinals with 29 points. Crete is now 25-0 and will return to the state tournament for the second time in two years. Siske said he’s excited for the opportunity.
“It always feels good. I’m proud of these guys,” Siske said. “25-0 is incredible, but they get to experience the state tournament again and there’s nothing like that. When you put in the work all season, giving yourself an opportunity to compete in Lincoln and in March is what it is all about.”
Siske said Crete will take the day off tomorrow and then be back at it to prepare for their first-round matchup at state.
Crete will play its first game at state on Thursday, March 7. Matchups are to be released at a later date.
