Defense Enables Parkway Central to Overcome Loss of Carel

Parkway Central boys basketball coach Todd Pannett is seeking some answers on offense from his team after the loss of starting point guard and last season's leading scorer Zach Carel.

Carel suffered a concussion in the Colts' loss to Lindbergh last week and is expected to miss at least two weeks. The Colts' first game without their floor general was on Sunday against Francis Howell in the GAC/Suburban Basketball Challenge.

Sunday's game with Francis Howell provided no offensive answers, but the Colts found enough defense to take a 34-32 victory in a defensive struggle at the Family Arena in St. Charles.

"Our kids really persevered today," Pannett said. "We lost our all-conference point guard and leading scorer from last year, so we're still looking for some people to step up. But, I was proud of our kids because we held a good-shooting team to only 32 points."

Good shooting was in short supply in this game as both teams struggled mightily from the field throughout the game and even more from the free-throw line. Parkway Central (4-3) was 7-for-21 from the charity stripe while Francis Howell was 5-for-18.

The frustration at the free-throw line plagued both teams in the closing seconds as the Colts had a chance to clinch the game while the Vikings had a chance to win the game from the line. Central junior forward Zach Biggs missed the front end of a one-and-one with one minute left to play with his team leading 34-32.

Francis Howell rebounded and held the ball for one last shot to win the game. Guard Austin Lowery was fouled shooting a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 5.2 seconds left. All three of Lowery's free throws rimmed out. Biggs rebounded the final miss and was fouled immediately. He missed the first free throw, but Howell could not get off a final shot and the Colts survived.

Biggs had a game-high 15 points and leads Parkway Central this season with averages of 18.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 17 blocks per game. Carel is averaging 11.5 points per game.

The Vikings appeared to take control of the low-scoring affair when guard Jacob Rhodes scored on consecutive possessions to give Howell a 30-26 lead. The Colts responded with five quick points to take a 31-30 lead as junior guard Eriq Moore hit a short jumper, Biggs hit one free throw and senior forward Kevin Forness hit two free throws.

Lowery tied the game with a single free throw, but Moore came through again for Central with another short jumper to give the Colts a 33-31 lead with one minute and 50 seconds left. It proved to be the winning basket for Central.

"Eriq gave us two big baskets down the stretch," Pannett said. "He also did a nice job defensively. He is one that has to step up for us offensively."

Moore finished with eight points. Senior Keith Brown led the Vikings with 10 points. Senior Andrew Hill scored seven points while Lowery and Rhodes added six points.

Parkway Central will play in the Chaminade Tournament next week. The Colts will face Hazelwood West in the first round on Monday at 6:30 p.m.