Cedar Creek sweeps Saline Bobcats in season openers

Cedar Creek opened the 2024-25 basketball season on a strong note Tuesday as the Cougars and Lady Cougars each defeated the Saline Bobcats on the road.

The Lady Cougars won 65-37 to open their season, using a 22- 3 first-quarter lead to pull away from Saline as its defense shined, limiting the home team to just 7 points by halftime. Creek led 35-7 at halftime thanks to nine different players scoring at least 2 points in the opening 16 minutes.

“Our girls came to play tonight,” Lady Cougars head coach Katie Hall said. “I was extremely pleased with our energy and effort. We set the tone early with our defense that led to easy buckets in transition. It started with our guards defensively and everyone was very unselfish with the ball. We played a lot of players, and everyone got quality minutes. Great way to start the season.”

Cat McAdams, a junior, led the team with 12 points, while senior Mallory Smith poured in 11 points. Zoey Venters, a fellow senior, scored 8 points. Taylor Martinez, a transfer from Benton, put up 7 points in her Creek debut, while Alivia Lee and Caroline James each had 6 points.

BOYS

Cedar Creek …......... 73 Saline …...............… 49

Creek head coach Lance Waldron was excited about the addition of Cannon Robbins, a transfer from Ruston High who had to sit out last season due to LHSAA transfer rules, to the Cougars this season. One game in, it seems to have paid off.

Robbins scored a game- high 31 points in his Creek debut in a blowout win over Saline, including 21 in the second half with a game-high four threepointers on the night. Cameron Temple and Jack Bell each scored 11 points as well, with Bell nailing three threepointers. Brett Bell added 7 points.

The Cougars led 22-7 after the first quarter, putting up eight field goals to just two for Saline in the opening frame, before building their lead to 46-19 at the break.

Creek hit seven three- pointers in the first half to just three for Saline.

The Cougars rolled the rest of the way, even with the Bobcats outscoring Creek 30-27 in the second half.

“ We played really good,” Waldron said of his team’s performance. “We stuck to the game plan, played team basketball on offense and defense. I’m proud of this team.”

It’s the first time since Jan. 6, 2023, that the Cougars have defeated Saline. Creek also won its season opener for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

Cedar Creek will host Calvin tonight for its 2024- 25 home opener at the Brickhouse. The girls game is schedule for a 5 p.m. tip off.

The Lady Cougars have not lost their home opener since falling to St. Mary’s in the 2016-17 season.