JEFFERSON–Still searching for its first win after an 0-4 start to the 2025-26 season, Crestwood finally broke through Friday night.
The Red Devils used a decisive early fourth-quarter push to knock off host Jefferson, 60-58, earning their first victory of the campaign.
“This feels amazing. I’m super proud of how the kids battled throughout the night,” said Crestwood first-year head coach Andrew Mertz. “I know these guys have been wanting this for a while, and I’m more excited for them than anything. We’ve been getting closer and closer, and it only takes one to turn this season around.”
Jefferson struck first when Joel Navarro jumped a passing lane for a steal and layup, but Crestwood quickly responded. Wyatt Januska’s putback sparked the Red Devils, and baskets from Joel Custer and Michael Kalista helped Crestwood take a 10-7 edge.
The Falcons briefly surged ahead as Dyllan Shetler blocked a shot and hit Joey Sands on the break, and George Dzura followed with an elbow jumper to make it 14-13 Jefferson.
That momentum didn’t last long.
Crestwood seized control in the second quarter, ripping off a 22-7 run to build a commanding halftime advantage.
“It was tough to watch. We can’t play (good) in three quarters and expect to win,” said Jefferson head coach Rob Pisano. “We have four losses by six points or less, and in these tight games we’ve struggled to score, and we just can’t give up a 22-7 run.”
Kalista converted an and-one, Jack Patton scored in transition, and 3-pointers from Colton Mayle and Kyle Shelhammer pushed the lead to 30-19. Januska capped the half with another and-one as Crestwood went into the break leading 35-21.
Jefferson flipped the game after halftime. The Falcons dominated the third quarter, outscoring Crestwood 20-8 to climb back within striking distance.
Dzura drilled a pair of 3-pointers, Sands added seven points, and Shetler finished the quarter by grabbing an offensive rebound and finding Dzura for a left-handed layup at the buzzer, trimming the deficit to 43-41.
Angelo DiNardo opened the fourth with four quick points for Crestwood, but Dzura tied the game at 47-47 with a right-wing triple midway through the final frame.
DiNardo answered by scoring six straight points in the post, yet Jefferson stayed close. Dzura hit another 3-pointer, and Shetler followed with a jumper to make it 53-52.
Shetler continued to attack down the stretch, but DiNardo delivered the closing blow, breaking Jefferson’s press for a layup with under 10 seconds remaining to make it 60-56.
With both teams scoring 17 points in the fourth, the decisive stretch proved to be Crestwood’s second-quarter surge and its ability to weather Jefferson’s third-quarter comeback.
“The third was tough for us. Jefferson came out in a press, and that’s been our Achilles heel this year, and it’s because we’re young and get sped up,” Mertz said. “We battled through it, weathered the storm, and came back in the fourth quarter with some adjustments on the press, and we were able to close it down in the end. Jefferson came out with a great plan and press in the second half, but I’m glad we battled to the end and found a way to hang on.”
DiNardo, the lone rostered player with varsity experience, carried Crestwood late, pouring in 14 of his points in the fourth quarter.
“He’s been huge for us this year, and he’s a huge part of everything we do. That senior leadership he has was huge,” Mertz said. “During timeouts, he was picking guys up and hyping them up and making sure we stayed focused and together. He made some clutch free throws in the end for us and battled for rebounds all night. I couldn’t be happier and prouder of him.”
DiNardo finished with a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. Mayle added 12 points, while Kalista scored eight. Januska chipped in seven points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
Jefferson, like Crestwood, is leaning heavily on an inexperienced roster as it searches for consistency.
“Their composure is okay, but we still have to learn how to play for four quarters and develop some more confidence with guys scoring the basketball,” Pisano said. “The guys get a little timid, but that’s something that will wear off with experience. It’s the first time in eight years we’ve had a record like this, so it’s a bit of an adjustment for me. Hopefully these guys get the experience they need, so maybe come playoff time we can knock somebody off.”
That experience was invaluable on Friday night, especially for Jefferson’s younger players who logged extended minutes due to foul trouble.
“I’m happy for those guys. Worst-case scenario is they’re getting experience in tight games, which we can’t replicate in practice,” Pisano said. “We started three sophomores in the second half and had some juniors play most of those minutes.”
Dzura led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Shetler added 12 points and four assists, while Sands finished with 10 points and two steals.
Crestwood will look to build on its breakthrough win when it visits Fuchs Mizrachi on Jan. 4. Jefferson returns to action Jan. 6 at Conneaut.
