The West Liberty High School boys’ basketball team fell in their lone contest this week, 73-34, to the Panthers of Monticello. The Comets remain winless through four contests, all coming in River Valley Conference play.
The Panthers drew first blood early but West Liberty junior Ty Jones wasted no time returning the favor with the teams finding themselves tied 2-2 within the first minute of the contest.
Senior Caleb Wulf gave the Comets the lead, capitalizing off a turnover, but it was short-lived. The Panthers put together a 12-point run to create a 10-point lead before Ty Jones put an end to it, Comets trailing 14-6.
The relentless Panther press led to seven more points before the close of the opening quarter, 21-6.
Sophomore Jayce McHugh scores the opening points of the second period for the Comets and Wulf buried a pair of free-throws to bring the score back within manageable, but again the rally was short-lived. The Panthers proceeded to out score the Comets 21-4 through the remainder of the half, taking a 42-14 lead into the locker room.
The Comets offense came out of the locker room ready to score and Wulf and McHugh traded buckets early forcing a timeout. Jones found net in a midrange jumper of his own a few possessions later, trailing 42-20. A five point Panther run was stopped following a Jones jumper from the free throw line. Another scoring run from the Panthers found the Comets trailing 54-26 with three minutes left in the third. The Comets were out scored 13-3 to end the third to trail 67-29.
The Comets held the Panthers to just six points in the final quarter but it proved too little too late as the Panthers emerged 73-34 victors.
Wulf led scoring for the Comets with 13 points while adding four rebounds as well as three steals and assists. Ty Jones had 10 points of his own along with four assists and a pair of steals and McHugh canned nine points. Caden Laughlin had a pair of points for the Comets in the loss.
The Comets of Coach James Laughlin will travel to Anamosa Friday before hosting Cascade ahead of winter break on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m.