The West Liberty girls’ basketball team finally returned to action following a week of weather delays.
The Comets return to the court would not go unaffected by the Iowa weather, being moved ahead in the day for their matchup against Mid-Prairie on the road with the threat of snow coming.
West Liberty ultimately fell 49-42 on the road in an improved result from their 61-33 loss from earlier in the season.
Thursday saw the Comets return to the courts in Wellman to take on the Golden Hawks after a week of weather-related postponements.
It didn’t take the teams long to get back on pace after their extended time off, as the teams traded blows in the first quarter with the Golden Hawks taking a slight edge 14-12 after the first quarter.
The hosts matched that scoring output again in the second quarter, while the Comets tallied just eight to head to the break trailing 28-20.
In the second half, the Comets were able to cut into the Golden Hawks lead, tallying 11 to the hosts’ 10.
Trailing by seven the Comets needed a big fourth quarter. The plan seemed to be working as intended for the Comets in the second quarter, as they were able to cut the Golden Hawk lead to one possession, picking away point by point as the deficit.
A number of empty trips up the court for the Comets spelled doom, however, as the Golden Hawks reclaimed control of the contest, eventually pulling out a seven point victory in a matchup that looked closer in person than on paper.
Maelyn Wainwright led the Comets tallying 12 points and six rebounds in the loss, while three of her teammates tallied seven a piece.
The Comet girls will return to action with a packed slate of games next week featuring matchups on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday as the work to makeup games lost to weather. The Comets sit at 2-10 on the season.
The West Liberty boys’ basketball team shook of the threat of snow Thursday as they made their return to the court against Mid-Prairie on the road, 61-48 followed by a 75-36 loss in the RVC Shootout to Northeast.
Thursday, in a game that was pushed up to try to get ahead of the incoming winter weather, the Comets took to the court in Wellman after a number of postponements the previous week due to weather.
The Comets seemed to hit the ground running, while missing previous starters Seth Axsom and Ryker Dengler, scoring 11 points with a starting five featuring a pair of new faces.
The Comets trailed by seven after the first quarter, but didn’t lose additional ground in the second quarter after each team scored 11.
The third quarter saw the hosts outscore the Comets 22-15 to extend their lead.
The final quarter saw the Comets pull a point closer, but did little to help mount a comeback as the Comets fell 61-48.
Jayce McHugh led the Comets with 14 points and seven rebounds while teammate Rafeal Mendoza and Cael Daufeldt joined in double figures.
Saturday the Comets headed to Maquoketa for the RVC shootout where they were drawn against Northeast. The Rebels have had the Comets’ number in every matchup the teams have played against each other since 2013 and Saturday proved to be no different.
The Rebels jumped out to a 21-7 lead after the first quarter. Northeast extended their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Comets 22-9 as the comets headed to the break trailing 43-16.
The remainder of the contest was strictly a formality as the Rebels cruised to their ninth consecutive win over the Comets.
Jayce McHugh tallied 24 points for the Comets with his next closes teammates being Cole Daufeldt with six and Ryan Noble with four.
The Comet boys will return to the court in a busy week that will include games Monday, Tuesday and Friday. The Comets sit at 3-8 on the season.