The West Liberty High School girls basketball team improved to 11-5 this past week, taking victories over Durant and Western Dubuque in between falling to West Branch in preparing for an opportunity to get to the state finals as Iowa tournament basketball begins this Saturday evening for Coach Matt Hoeppner's talented team.
Against Durant on Feb. 1, the game was never in question for the Comets as they outscored the Wildcats 29-4 in the opening quarter and took a 41-14 lead into the break. The Comets would go into cruise control for the second half and take the 72-30 win.
Junior Macy Daufeldt dominated for the Comets, scoring 24 points while collecting nine rebounds, give steals and four assists. Sailor Hall had 15 points as well as nine assists while Finley Hall hit 14 points, collected eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. Averi Goodale added nine points,while having eight steals. Magaley Kivi added three points while Martha Pace, Sammi Goodale and Janey Gingrich would all score two points and Brooklyn Buysse rounded out scoring with a point.
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, the Comets took a trip to West Branch for a revenge rematch against the Bears. A defensive first period ended in a tie at seven and the Comet defense continued in the second to give the visitors a 20-13 halftime edge. The Bears came back, though, with an explosive 17-4 showing of their own in the third before the Comets would fall 46-39.
Sailor Hall led Comet scoring with 12 points while Daufeldt was held to 10 points and 12 rebounds. Finley Hall had seven points and as many rebounds while Averi Goodale had five points and 10 rebounds and Janey Gingerich had five points and seven rebounds..
On Saturday, the Comets were visited by Western Dubuque. The Comets jumped out to a 20-6 edge and 37-20 lead into the break before finishing with a 65-48 win.
Daufeldt put on a show for the Comet faithful, scoring a season-high 29 points and pulling in 15 rebounds along with having five steals and three assists. Sailor and Finley Hall both had 15 points while Gingerich added four points and Martha Pace rounded out the Comet scoring with two.
The Comets will match up against Iowa City Regina Thursday before taking on Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the first round of Regional play on Saturday in West Liberty.