The West Liberty Girls basketball team saw their short-lived winning streak come to a close to the hands of Monticello Thursday, 49-46, despite a comeback attempt that fell short before surviving an overtime scare against Tipton Friday.
On Thursday, the Comets played host to Monticello to resume action following a short hiatus. Both teams put on an offensive showcase during the first quarter, but it was the Panthers who would emerge with a lead, 15-11.
The Panthers matched their points total in the second period and took a 30-20 lead into the locker room. The Comets returned to form in the third quarter, outscoring the Panthers 15-10 to cut the lead to five. An action-packed fourth quarter saw the teams trade blows throughout and with just under four minutes left in the final quarter, the Comets tied the game, 42-42.
Monticello went on a 6-0 run in the final minutes on the game to take a 48-42 lead before Sailor Hall buried a three to keep the Comets within striking distance.
The Panthers clung to their small lead for the final 50 seconds and would leave West Liberty victorious.
Macy Daufeldt led the Comets in both points with 19 and rebounds with eight. She also had a block and a steal. Sailor Hall recorded 13 points, six assists and four rebound and steals.
Janey Gingerich had seven points and five rebounds. Averi Goodale pulled in six rebounds to accompany her five points while Finley Hall rounded out comets scoring with two points while collecting three rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The following night, the Comets hosted Tipton, having already beaten the Tigers once this season. Both teams struggled to find their footing offensively and the Comets clung to a 10-9 lead after the opening period. Tipton fired back in the second period, outscoring the Comets 10-7 and capturing a 19-17 lead heading into the locker room. The Comets recaptured the lead 20-19 midway through the third period.
The teams traded the lead for the remainder of the quarter before the Tigers took control into the fourth, leading 30-25. The Comets held the Tigers to just five points in the fourth and gave themselves an opportunity to win the game with two seconds left on the clock.
The game winning attempt ultimately fell short and the teams played overtime. Overtime started with a bang for the Comets as Sailor Hall put the Comets ahead, drilling a three, then on the following possession drawing a foul on a made basket and completing the three-point play.
In the four-minute overtime period, the Comets outscored the Tigers 18-3 and took the win, 53-38.
Sailor Hall lead the Comets with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists and steals. Finley Hall followed closely behind with 12 of her own, along with six steals and as many rebounds.
Macy Daufeldt was a dominate force on the glass for the Comets, pulling down 13 rebounds to go along with eight points and five steals. Averi Goodale added nine points, three rebounds and two steals while Janey Gingerich recorded three points and a [pair of steals. Martha Pace rounded out the Comet scoring with two points.
Saturdays matchup against Solon was cancelled due to the snow storm.
The Comets sit at 10-4 overall and look forward to a week featuring match ups against Iowa City Regina Friday, Northeast Monday, Wilton Tuesday and another matchup against Regina Thursday.
They also wait on Regional matchups to be finalized to see what the post season has in store.