By Jim Irish
Photos by John Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman
Robert Conrad, Cedar Creek’s four-year starter at point guard, missed his first three shots against East View.
It was an uncharacteristic start for Conrad, averaging more than 20 points a game.
The Eagles, however, have other players who possess offensive skills.
Kenji Franklin, a 6-foot-5 junior, scored a game-high 26 points on 9-of-13 from the field in the Eagles’ 72-48 District 23-5A victory at home on Wednesday.
Although the Eagles won by 24 points, Cedar Creek coach Valentino Maxwell said it wasn’t the best game of the season for Cedar Creek (16-6 overall, 1-1 in district).
"Everyone in the locker room knows that this wasn't our best game."
-- Cedar Creek coach Valentino Maxwell
“Not at all,” Maxwell said. “We have played better offensively and defensively. Everyone in the locker room knows that this wasn’t our best game.”
Maxwell added that his squad allowed too many offensive rebounds (11) times and turned the ball over a little too much (14 turnovers).
Franklin earned a double-double with 12 rebounds. He dunked twice on breakaways. In addition, he connected on 3-of-5 from long range and had three assists and three blocks. The one negative on his stat line was seven turnovers.
Despite foul trouble in the first half, Micah McDonald, a 6-2 senior, finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Phineas Koplin, a 6-2 junior, chipped in 11 points on 3-of-5 from long range, all at the baseline.
“When Micah and (Kenji) were in foul trouble, he gave us a lift,” Maxwell said. “He hit some big shots.
Conrad hit only 5-of-14 shots for 14 points, but he aided the cause with seven rebounds and four assists.
Maxwell couldn’t criticize 49% shooting (27-of-55) from the floor or 41% from 3-point range (7-of-17). The Eagles also had 16 assists compared to East View’s six.
“We knew that (Conrad) and (Franklin) were really good, and unfortunately, they proved it,” first-year East View coach Michael Toups said.
East View (17-6, 0-2) had won all six games in the Wimberley tournament before losing to Cedar Creek.
“I feel like we’ve played a lot better than we did tonight,” Toups said. “We didn’t guard them as well as I thought we would.”
East View managed only 27% shooting on 16-of-58 from the field and 26% (5-of-19) from long range.
East View’s Gabe Banks and Terrion Benson, both juniors, scored 12 points each, while Jayden Prioleau added 11.
Cedar Creek travels to Connally (11-8, 1-1) on Friday.
“(They’re) still the most athletic team in the district, and they will trap the crap out you,” Maxwell said about Connally.
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
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