Cedar Crest 77 Exeter 64: wrap
Written by: Dell Jackson on December 30, 2023
Cedar Crest 77 Exeter 64
Dec. 29, 2023
Exeter won this tournament last year. Crest was bigger this year. Exeter had a magical run last season as the Eagles won District 3 and played for the PIAA championship at the 5A level. The Falcons would like to duplicate some of that magic this season.
The Falcons used their height advantage, to well, their advantage. Cedar Crest for the most part of the game kept Exeter out of the lane as they blocked EIGHT shots on the evening. The tandem of Aiden Schomp and RJ Young, both listed at 6’6”, took turns swatting shots away and it key times as well. Exeter entered the game with a 4-2 record although one of those losses was to a very talented Arch Bishop Carrol team. Exeter features quick, strong guard play mixed in with some three point shooting. The Eagles are testing themselves non-league and have beaten LL foes (TWP, Conestoga Valley and Lebanon). Expect the Eagles to be a force again at the 5A level in District 3 play.
Neither team lit it up in the first period as both teams looked to run whenever they could. Exeter jumped out to a 7-3 lead early in the first (drive by Kevin Saenz, a triple by Devon Nester, and a follow by Aiden Dauble). Cedar Crest would answer by going inside – again and again. Aiden Shomp, Fernando Marquez and RJ Young took turns scoring at the basket. The 13-2 run to end the quarter 16-9. The Falcons tallied 12 boards to Exeter’s 9 for the period (a lot of rebounds means a lot of misses 🙂
Leo Tirado scored on a run-out to push the Falcons lead to 25-11 at the 5 minute mark of the second period. Exeter would answer. The Eagles started to control the boards and got their break working. Exeter strung together a 9-0 run, keyed by a jumper and a layup by Dauble. Crest would push the lead back to 10 on back-to-back buckets by Marquez, 6’2” forward. The quarter would end at 32-27 Crest.
Exeter showed a lot of grit coming out of the half. In fact the Eagles took a very brief lead at 38-37 on the strength of 3 triples (Dauble, Saenz (2) ) and a layup by Alex Kelsey. Danny Speaks, 6’ jn guard for Crest, got the line, made 2, then a key triple by Dylan Groff, 5’11” jn, provided a bit of breathing room for the Falcons at 44-38. Crest would lead going into the 4th: 50-41.
Exeter used its trapping defense in the 4th as they tried to get back in the game. The Eagles did have some success as they forced 5 turnovers in the period, but Crest would not allow any runs by Exeter. The Eagles cut the lead to 8 late in the game, but the open floor gave Crest opportunities at the rim- Schomp, Young and Marquez doing the damage late. It wasn’t an easy win but one that was earned.
Points:
Exeter: Kevin Saenz 21, Aidan Dauble 15, Alex Kelsey 13
Cedar Crest: Fernando Marquez 20, Aiden Schomp 16, Danny Speaks 15
Unofficial Stats:
Rebounds: Crest 27, Exeter 24
Turnovers: Crest 14, Exeter 11
Blocks: Crest 8, Exeter 1
Aiden Schomp – Co POG
Danny Speaks, co POG
Sidelines…in the first game Palmyra beat Lebanon in 2OT 54-52. The Cedars are getting closer to that elusive W…..During interview with Aiden Schomp, Dell forgot to push record, and Leo Tirado let him know. It provided a big laugh by Aiden Schomp and take 2 for the interview..Thanks to AD Rick Dissinger for taking care of us at court-side and providing rosters, Dell even learned a new way in and out of the gym :)…Assist Coach Art Schomp asked about Dell’s health- guess we cover a lot of Crest games? :)…Also, today we learned that Coach Danny Walck actually had 403 wins counting his time at Reading High. Thanks to AD Ryan Landis at Hempfield for checking with us about his LL win totals. Coach Walck needs 14 more LL wins to join the 400 club with LL wins. …in an LLhoops interview by TJ Eck, Coach Danny said the “400 wins means I’ve been around for a long time” Great quote.
~Dell Jackson
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