AT LAST…Comets break losing streak

Courtesy of Chinook Observer

By PHIL RAISTAKKAObserver corespondent

DAMIAN MULINIX photoThough surrounded by four NWC defenders, Naselle’s Gabe See still gets off a clean shot for two of his eight points in the Comets victory.

NASELLE - Finally putting together a positive fourth quarter, the Naselle Comets boys' basketball team ended a frustrating seven-game losing streak with a wire-to-wire win over the Raymond Seagulls in a Pacific League game played in Lyle Patterson Gym Thursday, Jan. 18. The Comets got balanced scoring with three players in double figures and with three more just out of double digits in a 71-53 win over the Gulls. The Comets' league record climbed to 3-5 and 5-9 overall. The Gulls dropped to 1-6 in league play and 5-9 overall.The Comets started fast with a hot-shooting 24-11 first quarter and, in contrast to their recent games, finished strong with a 20-11 fourth period advantage. That difference prompted Coach Brian Macy to say, "We had some rough spots, but we played pretty well. We need to play like that more."The Burkhalter brothers, with Kyle leading the way with a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds and Austin with eight points and 12 boards, provided much of the spark against the Gulls. But they had plenty of company as the Comets used an overall team effort to outscore the Gulls in three of the four quarters. Casey Heagy added 13 points and six assists, Spencer Griss 11 points, Nate Sultemeier nine and Conor Smith nine. Eight of the 10 Comets who saw playing time added points to the Naselle score book. Austin's production was particularly noteworthy as he was playing with the fingers on his shooting hand bandaged and taped as he had suffered an injury on the family farm before the game. A big part of the win was the Comets board control where they out-rebounded the Gulls 42-25 with Austin adding 12 boards to Kyle's game-leading 13.Naselle's big first quarter saw them jump out to a 13-point lead. The Gulls rallied with a 16-10 second period, but the Comets went in at the break leading 34-27. Naselle saw its lead narrowed to three points in the third period but they kept the pressure on with a 17-15 third quarter. Then, in contrast to some of their recent losses, the Comets kept better control of the ball with a 20-11 fourth period. The result was a clear-cut 71-53 win over the Gulls.

RAYMOND (53) - Michael El 13, Danny Xaysy 12, Getchell 9, Dickey 8, Gusdahl 7, Riggs 2; Rebounds (25);

Assists: Xaysy 7;

Steals: Xaysy 11

NASELLE (71) - Kyle Burkhalter 22, Casey Heagy 13, Spencer Griss 11, Sultemeier 9, Smith 9, A. Burkhalter 8, See 4, Martin 2, Ray, Erickson;

FG - 29 of 59 for 49 percent,

FT - 12 of 19;

Rebounds (42): K. Burkhalter 13, A. Burkhalter 12;

Assists: Heagy 6