Comets drop fifth straight

Courtesy of The Chinook Observer

Comets drop fifth straight at rival South BendBy PHIL RAISTAKKAObserver corespondent

DAMIAN MULINIX photoNaselle sophomore Conor Smith, who scored a total of eight points, pulls up for a shot in the lane over South Bend’s Chase Mitchell in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 59-52 loss.

SOUTH BEND - The Naselle Comets boys' basketball team fire has been dampened badly since the Astoria Christmas Tournament. They just completed their third Pacific League game of the week with their third successive league loss and their fifth loss in a row. The Comets lost 59-52 to South Bend in Don Koplitz Field House Saturday, Jan. 6. The Comets league record fell to 2-3 and to 4-7 overall.Naselle Coach Brian Macy said, "Defensively we played well enough to win. We are just turning the ball over too much and not rebounding as well as we are capable of doing. We are starting to play with the effort it takes to win, but need to fix the mistakes. We must get more than 42 shots a game."The Comets seemed to have control of the game through the first half as they lead 10-4 after one quarter and 24-17 at the half. But things began to go south in the third quarter as the turnovers and lack of offensive rebounds (only three offensive boards in the game) began to make a difference.The Comets were led by Kyle Burkhalter with 17 points and Casey Heagy who added 12. Conor Smith was just out of double figures with eight points. The Naselle rebounding was led by Kyle Burkhalter, Austin Burkhalter and Smith, each with seven boards.Macy said, "We were up by seven at the half but really could have been up by much more had we taken care of the ball and played with more composure. We are inexperienced with a lot of youth. Hopefully we will get through some of the growing pains."Those growing pains took the form of a South Bend rally that saw them outscore the Comets 18-13 in the third period to take over to pull within two points of the Comets. South Bend then completed their comeback with a huge 24-13 fourth quarter as they fashioned their seven point win. Randy Eang, who was the game's high scorer with 27 points, led the South Bend surge."I really think this year's team has the capacity to develop into a very good team. We just need to focus on our weaknesses as a team and as individuals and keep our nose(s) to the grindstone - if we do this, the development will occur much quicker," Macy said.That development will get a chance to grow and show this week as the Comets travel to Westport on Tuesday, Jan. 9, to take on the Ocosta Wildcats. They entertain the North Beach Hyaks this Friday, Jan. 12, in a rematch of the Comets 72-50 loss to the Hyaks only a week ago.Indians 59, Comets 52

NASELLE (52) - Kyle Burkhalter 17, Casey Heagy 12, Smith 8, Griss 6, A. Burkhalter 3, Sultemeier 2, See 2, Hines 2, Ray;

Shooting: FG - 19-42 (.452),

3's - 2-11, FT - 12-20;

Rebounds (30): K. Burkhalter 7, A. Burkhalter 7, Smith 7;

Turnovers (22)

SOUTH BEND (59) - Randy Eang 27, Michell 12, Yi 9, Rose 5, Lazelle 3, Huber 2, Wetterauer 1;

Rebounds (29)

Naselle 10 14 13 13 - 52

South Bend 4 13 18 24 - 59