Comets survive double-OT scare

Courtesy of Chinook Observer

By PHIL RAISTAKKAObserver corespondent

Despite losing the opening tip of the first overtime period, Kyle Burkhalter and the Comets were able to win by scoring seven points in the second overtime period. DAMIAN MULINIX photo

Senior Spencer Griss helped the Comets, seen here knocking a ball loose from a Crusaders player.DAMIAN MULINIX photo

NASELLE - They had to work overtime - in fact two overtimes - to do it, but the Naselle Comets boys won their first Pacific League basketball game of the year 55-48, in two overtime periods, over Tacoma Baptist. The game, the first played after two days of storm-cancelled events, was played in Naselle's Lyle Patterson Gym Saturday, Dec. 16. Naselle's overall record climbed to 3-2, 1-0 in league games.The Comets held the lead at all of the first three quarters, 15-6, 28-23 and 42-37, only to stub their toe badly in the fourth period. The Crusaders won the fourth quarter battle 8-3 to send the game into overtime, tied at 45. The Comets could have cinched the victory in regulation time if they hadn't, gone stone cold at the foul line in the fourth quarter. At one point, the Comets were shooting an "0-fer" (as in 0 for seven) at the foul line in the fourth stanza. Things didn't improve greatly in the first overtime that ended in another tie at three points apiece, sending the game into its second overtime.Naselle, mainly behind the scoring of Kyle Burkhalter, who led the Comets with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Nathan Sultemeier, 14 game points, and tough defense held the Crusaders scoreless in the second overtime while Naselle was scoring seven points. The 7-0 period gave the Comets their hard-earned 55-48 win.Coach Brian Macy said, "I thought this was the first time all year that we showed up and played lackadaisically. We were content to just play with a team we should out-play. Our focus was to try and push the ball, and we didn't do that either. I think our focus, or lack thereof, really showed at the free-throw line as we were 12-26."There were some bright spots - Conor Smith stepping up with 13 rebounds to go with Kyle's 14, is huge. If he can continue to do that, and others try to reach this level we could really dominate the boards."We got some huge free throws from Nathan Sultemeier in the two overtimes. He finished 6-7."

TACOMA BAPTIST (48) - Finley 15, Piworski 11, Tuell 9, Gillman 8, Irish 3, Sims 2, Crisp 2,; Rebounds (30)

NASELLE (55) - Kyle Burkhalter 21, Nathan Sultemeier 14, A. Burkhalter 8, Smith 6, Heagy 4, Griss 2, Hines;

Shooting: FG - FG% 19-41 includes 5-14 from 3's,

FT - 12-26;

Rebound (37); K. Burkhalter 14, Smith 13;

Turnovers 18

Tacoma Baptist 6 17 14 8 3 0 - 48

Naselle........ 15 13 14 3 3 7 - 55

The Naselle boys at North Beach game scheduled for Dec. 14 was postponed by the storm and rescheduled for Jan 3.