Defensive game ends with Comets on top

Monticello gives Comet girls all they can handle early

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The West Liberty High School girls’ basketball team was victorious in their lone contest last week, dispatching of Monticello 40-28 on Tuesday to remain unbeaten in River Valley Conference play.

The Comets are 3-1 on the season and 3-0 in RVC action for coach Matt Hoeppner.

Both teams struggled to find any offense early in the contest, going scoreless for over two and a half minutes before Sailor Hall found herself at the foul line converting one of two to give the Comets a 1-0 lead with 5:28 to play in the first quarter.

The next basket wouldn’t find the net for two more minutes before Monticello was able to take advantage of an inbounds opportunity and take a 2-1 lead. The Comets found themselves trailing 5-1 before Pearson Hall banked in a three to bring the game back within one late in the opening period. The Comets reclaimed the lead with under a minute left in the quarter following a layup from Sailor Hall and three-point bucket from Pearson Hall to lead 9-5.

The defensive slugfest continued in the second quarter before the Comets created separation following Pearson Hall’s third three-pointer followed by a pair of layups and a free throw from Macy Daufeldt to give the Comets a 19-7 lead midway through the quarter.

A few costly turnovers saw the Panthers claw their way back into the game before the close of the half, the Comets leading 22-14 at the break.

The Comets found the first points of the second half as Finley Hall buried a three-pointer off the assist of Sailor Hall to create distance early in the third quarter. The Panthers responded with a three of their own to pull the lead back within eight before both defenses kept their counterparts off the board.

The Panthers broke the five minute scoring drought as the split the Comet defense for an easy layup before Pearson Hall drilled her fourth three-pointer of the contest. The Panthers found a three of their own before the end of the third quarter as the Comets clung to a six-point lead, 28-22.

The teams traded layups early in the fourth quarter. The Panthers found themselves in a 4-0 run to bring the game back within two just after the midway point of the fourth.

However, the run was short lived as Finley Hall found the net from three and drew the foul to convert a four point play for the Comets, extending the lead back to six. The Comet were able to force the Panthers into turnovers and fouls late in the game to create separation and take the 40-28 victory.

Pearson Hall led the night for the Comets with 14 points, five steals and a pair of rebounds. Daufeldt followed behind with 11 points and seven boards. Finley Hall and Sailor Hall scored nine and six respectively in the outing.

The Comets will travel to Anamosa Friday before hosting Cascade ahead of winter break on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Both River Valley Conference games begin at 6:15 p.m.

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