Panthers hit 10 treys, top Cyclone boys 64-55

 CRESTON (Feb. 12) -- The Harlan Community boys basketball team’s late-season momentum hit a snag Friday night as Creston started out hot from the three-point line and beat the Cyclones 64-55 to earn a split in the series.
 The Panthers made five 3-pointers in the first period to take a 20-14 lead, went to halftime up 36-27 and held off every Cyclone comeback attempt in the second half.
 Creston finished 10-of-20 from beyond the arc and shot 55 percent overall while HCHS struggled to a 7-of-27 showing from long range and 39.2 percent overall.
 The Cyclones had won four of their last five games following a five-game losing streak in January. They will take a 9-10 overall record into Thursday night’s regular-season finale at fifth-ranked (3A) Carroll.
 “Once again we struggled on the road and give Creston credit as they shot us out of our diamond-and-one defense,” stated HCHS coach Mitch Osborn. “The last time we played them [a 69-51 Harlan win] we held leading scorer Colby Burg to eight points and (Friday) he had 17 and assisted on several other baskets.
 “After the first quarter Creston switched to a 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone the rest of the game and we really struggled from the three-point line. It is really tough when we only make 7-of-27... and we had some really good looks. We also missed five bunnies that we have to finish to have a chance to win a tough game on the road.”
 Creston (9-9) was led by Burg’s 17 points and 13 from Kaden Briggs. Five other Panthers scored at least five.
 HCHS pulled within 56-50 with 1:10 left in the game, but Creston made enough late free throws to close it out.
 Aidan Hall had a very nice all-around game for the Cyclones with 16 points and 10 rebounds (eight offensive) and Jacob Birch came off the bench to hit 3-of-7 treys and finish with 12 points and five boards. Osborn called it the best varsity game of Birch’s young career.
 Brad Curren scored 10 points for HCHS and Connor Frame added eight.
 Friday’s contest did not count in the Hawkeye Ten standings as both teams had already completed their conference slates. The Cyclones placed third in the H-10 with a mark of 7-3 while the Panthers (5-5) finished sixth.