Lisbon Morning Journal / Matt Morrison Crestview’s Addison Rhodes drives on Tuslaw’s Destiny Dulkoski on Wednesday.

CORTLAND — Last year, the Crestview Rebels’ season came to an end at Lakeview high school in the district final.

This year, the Rebels (25-0) have been waiting to get back there while going undefeated in the process. And, they’ve made it back after a 101-point victory in the sectional final last Saturday.

Crestview has moved onto the district final after getting past Tuslaw 56-44 in the district semifinals at Lakeview high school on Wednesday.

“This was the first test tonight against Tuslaw,” said Crestview sophomore Addison Rhodes. “I think we played pretty well for the first test.”

“We were on this same floor a year ago,” Crestview coach Aaron Blatch said. “We were able to win in the semifinals. We lost to a really good Laurel team in the district final. We certainly want this year to end differently. Watching the other team cut down the net wasn’t a fun experience.”

First, the Rebels had to get past the Mustangs (19-6). Crestview led 15-9 at the end of the first quarter thanks to the scoring duo of Rhodes (20 points) and junior Luvrain Gaskins (20 points).

“Addison and Luvrain are both special players,” Blatch said. “We defended together. We moved the ball. We played really hard against a good opponent.”

Tuslaw coach Katie Rowbotham was impressed with the Rebels.

“I’m proud of my girls,” she said. “We matched up with Crestview very well. They are a very talented team. They have great talent, and I wish them the best moving forward.”

The Rebels took a 28-21 lead into halftime after Rhodes drained one from behind the arc in the second quarter.

Gaskins was unstoppable on the boards and in the paint as Crestview extended its advantage to 41-28 heading to the fourth quarter.

“It was a tough game,” Gaskins said. “I’m super excited to be moving on. Addison Rhodes wasn’t feeling well last night. She stepped it up and played great for our team today.

“Last year, we let a good lead slip away in the district final. We’re more experienced this year. We’ll be able to handle the pressure better this time. We’ve been talking about it all year. Now that it’s finally here, we’re really going to focus on the task in front of us.”

Sophomore Lexi Blower (8 points) and the rest of the Rebels focused on finishing off Tuslaw in the fourth quarter.

“Tuslaw has some strong girls,” Blower said. “We all work together to guard the girls that are tall and strong. We played the game that we needed to play to get the win.”

Rhodes agreed with Blower.

“We fought pretty hard,” Rhodes said. “There were times when they made a run. But, we fought right back. Our whole team played hard.

“Now, we have another test in front of us. We have to fix things up. We weren’t perfect tonight. We were far from perfect. We have to come into the district final ready to play harder.”

The final will be Saturday at 7 p.m. against Keystone (25-0).

“We’re going to have a really great opponent in the final,” Blatch said. “We’re going to come out with a practice plan for tomorrow. We have a couple of days to get after it and really prepare. The next game is all that’s on my mind.”

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