West liberty Basketball

Comeback Comets strike first

Trailing by 11 in the fourth quarter, West Liberty stuns Beckman Catholic in opening game

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The West Liberty boys’ basketball team kicked off its opening week splitting its two matchups.

Against Beckman Catholic in the season opener, the Comets mounted an 11-point comeback down the stretch to knock off their River Valley Conference North foes before falling at home the following day to Hillcrest Academy. 

After taking an 11-10 first quarter lead, the Comets trailed at the half 24-21, before a slow third quarter set the stage for the Comets’ ultimate comeback.

West Liberty struggled at times in its first game of the season, trailing by nine midway through the final quarter, 44-35 at home.

A resurgent Comet offense would battle back throughout the final period before the Comets finally reclaimed the lead.

Off a baseline inbound, senior Ryker Dengler drove to the basket before finding an unattended senior Cameron Iske in the corner.

Iske drilled the three while being fouled in the process. He completed the four-point play as the Comets grabbed a 49-46 lead with 30 seconds left in the contest.

Iske would put the cap on the night on the next possession following a Trailblazer turnover. He was intentionally fouled and extended the Comets’ lead with two made free throws.

A final effort from Beckman Catholic in the last 10 seconds came up short as the Comets grabbed a 52-46 victory in their opening matchup of the season.

Dengler led the way with 21 points while Iske scored 13 coming off the bench. Dengler and Iske also led the team with nine and five rebounds. Senior Seth Axsom also grabbed five boards.

On Saturday, the Comets hosted Hillcrest Academy. The Ravens and Comets third meeting in as many years served as a decider for the school’s seniors who had split the previous two matchups.

The Comets snagged the early advantage, taking a 19-12 first quarter lead before the Ravens charged back in the second quarter to close the gap to two heading into the break as the Comets lead 30-28.

The Comet offense stalled in the second half, tallying just 11 points over the final two quarter combined as the Ravens outscored them by 20. The Comets ultimately fell in the second game in as many days, 59-41.

The Comets look ahead to a loaded week before winter break, with matchups on Friday against Tipton, Monday against Van Buren County and Tuesday against Keokuk. 

Girls blow out Beckman

The West Liberty Girls basketball team lost its road game against Marquette Catholic before knocking off Beckman Catholic on their home court on Friday in dominant fashion.

It would be a long road for the Comets on Tuesday as they headed to play Marquette Catholic, made to feel longer as the Comets trailed following the first quarter, 21-15.

A resurgent second quarter saw the Comets cut the lead by one before the break.

The Comets would lose progress in the second half, scoring six out of the break, falling behind 50-34.

From that point Maquette would go on to control the remainder of the matchup, not letting up and extending their lead in the fourth as the Comets fell 69-52.

Friday’s story can be told by the quarters on either side of halftime, as the Comets held their opponents to single digits in both quarters while scoring 35 points combined in the frames.

Capped by a 20-4 rout in the third quarter, the Comets managed this matchup which felt under control from the opening tipoff.

West Liberty went on to win 54-21, leaning heavily on a 21-point outing from sophomore guard Sully Hall, backed up by 16 points from freshman Kylee Daufeldt as the youth shined bright for the Comets.

The Comets will take on Tipton on Friday before hosting Washington on Tuesday in their last bits of action before the Christmas break.

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