Young Comets win

Courtesy of the Chinook Observer
Young Comets get first win in opener
Putting together four strong quarters was to the key to the Naselle Comets boys basketball opener, as they came back to beat the highly regarded Warrenton High School 68-57, Friday, Dec. 1.The young Comets team showed little evidence of their inexperience as they took an opening lead of 17-9 after one period against Warrenton. However, the Warriors outscored the Comets 42-29 during the middle two quarters to take the lead 50-46 going into the last period. The Comets, with junior Kyle Burkhalter leading the way with a game high double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds, came back with a 22-6 fourth quarter to win going away. Naselle's early season record is 1-0.In addition to Kyle's big game, the Comets had three other players in double figures with sophomore Nathan Sultemeier scoring 17, freshman Austin Burkhalter 14, and senior Casey Heagy 10 points. That quartet accounted for all of the Naselle points except for two by sophomore Conor Smith and it more than offset the balanced Warriors' scoring. Ryan Lampi with 12 points and Michael O'Casey with 11 led the Warrenton scoring. Veteran Eric Gantenbein, who figures to be one of the Warriors top scorers this year, and 6-3 Jordan Little each added eight points to the Warrenton total.After Naselle had nearly doubled the score, at 17-9, on the Warriors in the first quarter, the Warrenton offense came alive as they poured in 27 second-period points while holding the Comets to 11 counters, Naselle's lowest scoring period of the game. The Comets trailed 28-36 at the intermission.Naselle coach Brian Macy said, "The kids played well overall and we shot well. It was a good thing because we were out-rebounded in the first half something like 10-20 and Warrenton had 18 offensive rebounds for the game. We had some defensive breakdowns, but that isn't unexpected this early in the season. We were in trouble in the second quarter when Casey (Heagy) came in and scored five points and Nate (Sultemeier) had several steals in the period."Naselle started its comeback in the third period as the firm of Burkhalter, Sultemeier, and Co. began to dismantle the Warriors. It didn't happen immediately as Naselle only outscored the Warriors 18-15 in the quarter to narrow the gap to four points at 46-50, at the end of three stanzas.The fourth quarter, however, was all Naselle as the Comets out-scored and out-defended the Warriors 22-6. The Comets, who shot 50 percent for the game, got the hot hand as they poured in their highest point production of the game. That offense, and the Comets harassing defense, propelled them to their 68-57 opening game win in the brand new 2006-07 season."Casey hit two big fifteen foot shots in the fourth quarter, on nearly identical plays, when we were behind 53-55," Macy said. "We worked hard and competed well the entire night. We also shot the ball very well - I will take 50 percent from the field and 70percent from the line every night. We also took care of the ball fairly well committing only 11 turnovers."Execution on offense was inconsistent and we had breakdowns on defense at times. This is to be expected early in the year, but we must improve. Rebounding is a major concern - although we out-rebounded Warrenton by the game's end we were behind 10-20 at the half, and Warrenton ended up with 18 offensive rebounds. This must change or our success will be limited.

Comets 68, Warriors 57NASELLE (68)
Kyle Burkhalter 25, Nathan Sultemeier 17, Austin Burkhalter 14, Casey Heagy 10, Smith 2, Griss, Martin; Shooting: FG: 23 of 46 - 50 percent, 3's: 3 of 8, FT 19 of 27; Total Rebounds: 36, K. Burkhalter 15, A. Burkhalter 8; Total turnovers: 11

WARRENTON (57) - Ryan Lampi 12, Michael O'Casey 11, Gantenbein 8, Little 8, Davis 6, Garcia 4, Moore 4, Burkhart 4; Total Rebounds: 31
Naselle 17 11 18 22 - 68
Warrenton 9 27 15 6 - 57

The Naselle JVs lost 28-41. Drew Macy led the Comets' scorers with seven points. Naselle JV Coach Scott Smith said "Calen (Thompson) played good defense and overall the kids played well. We should have more players eligible by the time that the end of this week comes around."