NICEVILLE — If the little things make a big difference, Crestview High School’s boys basketball team still has room for improvement.
Protecting the basketball, hitting free throws and not committing silly fouls hurt the Bulldogs Monday as they opened the Go Southern Beach Blowout against Christian Brothers High School, Memphis, Tenn., at Northwest Florida State College's Raider Arena.
Not protecting the basketball in the play's final minutes was the real difference, as Crestview blew a six-point lead in the final 74 seconds of play in a 50-49 loss.
“Turnovers killed us,” Crestview Coach George Stakley said. “Not taking care of the ball – the little things.
“All we had to do was hold the ball and get a good shot off and we win the game.”
The Purple Wave, ranked as the No. 5 team in Tennessee by MaxPreps, did what it needed to and won the game.
Christian Brothers forced three Bulldog turnovers down the stretch and scored the last seven points to grab the win.
Crestview (10-2) got off to a fast start with some hot shooting by Rusty Moorer. He opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers in the first minute of play to put the Bulldogs up 6-0.
Christian Brothers guard Justin Lindner and center Jacob Lyons then went to work as the Purple Wave closed out the quarter on a 12-5 run.
J.J. Reisedge helped Christian Brothers keep the edge in the second quarter. Reisedge came off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers as the Purple Wave pushed the lead to 27-21 at the half.
But the Bulldogs didn’t go away. Andrew Adkins provided the offensive spark in the third quarter and the Bulldog defense took over as Crestview moved in front 34-32 at the end of the third quarter.
If not for three questionable offensive fouls called on the Bulldogs in the first minute of the period, the Bulldogs easily could have had a lead larger than two points.
Moorer and Marquis McClain teamed up to score all 15 Bulldog points in the fourth quarter. McClain scored eight of his 10 points in the period.
Back-to-back baskets by Moorer and McClain gave the Bulldogs their six-point lead with time running out, but the lead wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs couldn’t withstand the last charge by the Purple Wave.
Christian Brothers 12 15 5 18 – 50
Crestview 11 10 13 15 – 49
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS (50)
Undra Wilson 6, Justin Lindner 14, William Douglas 10, J.J. Reisedge 6, Ben Spence 4, Jacob Lyons 10. Totals 14 5 7-10 50.
CRESTVIEW (49)
Marquis McClain 10, Rusty Moorer 20, Andrew Adkins 12, Keenan Redd 2, Marcus Purcell 2, Chris Bryant 2. Totals 10 8 5-8 49.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 50, CRESTVIEW 49
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Turnovers costly in Crestview boys basketball loss (PHOTOS)