Naselle boys lose a close one to Ocosta

Courtesy of The Chinook Observer
By PHIL RAISTAKKAObserver corespondent
WESTPORT - The Naselle Comets boys' basketball team lost its sixth game in a row and the fourth league game in succession, Tuesday, Jan. 9, in a Pacific League game played against the Ocosta Wildcats in the Cats' home gym. The Comets seemingly had the game under control, leading the entire game, with a 38-31 lead at the end of three quarters. However, the Wildcats roared from behind with a 25-14 fourth period to win the game 56-52. Naselle's league record dropped to 2-4 and to 4-8 overall. Ocosta, winning only its second game of the season, improved to 2-4 in league and 2-8 overall.Naselle soared out to an early lead, leading 17-9 after one quarter. They were to get good scoring from their five starters in the game, but they got no points from their reserves. The Burkhalter brothers, Kyle with 17 points and Austin with 15, led the Naselle scoring.Naselle saw some of its lead disappear in the second quarter as Tommy Quinby (13 game points) and Kevin Spivey (11 game points) led the Wildcats' 14-9 surge. The Comets still led at the break 26-20.The Comets managed to hold on to the lead with a 12-11 third period and they entered the final eight minutes with a seven-point advantage.That lead evaporated as the Wildcats, with five players either in or close to double digits in the game, took control with their big 25-14 quarter. The Wildcats dropped in four three-pointers in a row that gave them the lead and Naselle could not recover. Naselle could not come back and they went home with a 56-52 loss.Coach Brian Macy said, "They came back with their three point shots and we got a little tight. We are a young team and we have to learn to close our games."

Naselle 17 9 12 14 - 52
Ocosta 6 14 11 25 - 56

Naselle - Kyle Burkhalter 17, Austin Burkhalter 15, Sultemeier 7, Griss 7, Smith 6, Heagy, Hines, See,

FG -18-36 (.500).
FT -11-19;
Rebounds (26): Smith 7, K. Burkhalter 7, Griss 6;
Assists: Griss 4, Hines 3;
Turnovers (16)

Ocosta - Tommy Quinby 13, Kevin Spivey 11, Raffelson 9, K. Forbis 9, Stein 8, J. Forbis 4, Barnes 2, Doull, Colburn:

FG -21-50 (.420).
FT -8-15;
Rebounds (29): Raffelson 7, Stein 7