The West Liberty High School girls basketball split games their opening week of 2021, falling to neighboring West Branch, 51-40, before rebounding against Camanche, 61-22.
The Comets of coach Matt Hoeppner are 6-3 on the season. The loss to River Valley Conference rival West Branch ended a five game winning streak for West Liberty.
Last Tuesday night, Jan. 5, the Comets played host to the Bears, who jumped ahead to a 9-2 lead early in the first quarter before the Comets closed the gap and pulled the game within four, 14-10 to end the period.
West Branch widened the gap early before the Comets pulled the lead back within three halfway through the second period. The Comets headed into the locker room trailing 29-22.
The Comets drew first blood in the second half, as Janey Gingerich drilled a three pointer to open scoring for the hosts. The Comets scored five more points in the third quarter but watched the gap widen, 42-30. The Comets outscored the Bears in the final quarter 10-9 but it would prove to not be enough as the Comets fell 51-40 to start off 2021.
Junior Macy Daufeldt led scoring for the Comets with 12 points, she also recorded six rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Hall Sisters followed as Sailor recorded 10 points, with three rebounds, four assists and a steal. Finley had six points, two rebounds and a pair of assists. Janey Gingerich added seven more points for the Comets while recording seven rebounds, an assist, plus three steals and a block. Averi Goodale rounded out scoring for the Comets with five points, accompanied by five rebounds and four steals.
Friday’s match against Iowa City Regina was cancelled before the Comets moved on to Camanche on Saturday.
The long road trip proved not to effect the Comets as they jumped out early 11-3 with a minute left in the opening period. The Indians would score in the final 45 second of the opening period and that would be the final time they would score until halftime, as the Comets went on a 29-0 run, including a 25-0 shutout in the 2nd quarter to end the half, up 40-6.
The Comets maintained control throughout the second half and emerge victorious 61-22 victors.
Sophomore Finley Hall led the way for the Comets offensively, scoring 25 points coupled with four rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. Daufeldt followed up with 17 points while pulling down four rebounds, getting three assists and nabbing seven steals. Gingerich had seven points along with three boards and as many steals. Sailor Hall and Averi Goodale rounded out scoring for the Comets with six a piece.
The Comets travel to Mid-Prairie Friday before hosting Monticello Monday and Durant Tuesday. Home games can be viewed live on the West Liberty School District YouTube channel.