Elm Creek-Elm Creek used a strong defensive second half and rallied past Paxton 50-44 to win the D2-5 District Final on Monday night. The night didn’t start well for the Buffaloes who saw the Tigers sprint out to 19-8 lead at the start of the second quarter. Elm Creek who scored just eight points in the first quarter saw senior Isiah Quintana step up and nail three huge threes in the second quarter to help get Elm Creek back in the game as they trailed 28-24 at the half.
The game was tied at 37 going into the fourth quarter, but the Buffaloes would only give up three field goals in the final eight minutes as they held on the win. Quintana was big again in the fourth quarter hitting a key three and he was also six of seven from the free throw line as he finished with 18 points. Fellow senior Nikk Brummels also was huge as he scored all eight of Elm Creek’s points in the first quarter and finished with a game high 22. Paxton who ends the year at 15-10 was led by Josh Eakins who scored 18 and Tanner Hebblewaite added 17. Elm Creek is 16-8 and is headed back to state in back to back years for the first time since 1926 and 1927 seasons. Here is post game with head coach Tanner Cavanee
