Comets in fourth place with two left

Courtesy of The Chinook Observer
By PHIL RAISTAKKAObserver corespondent

NASELLE - After starting out with a slow first quarter, the Naselle Comets gained momentum in each of the following three periods as they squeezed past the Tacoma Baptist Crusaders 53-48 in a Pacific League girls' basketball game played in Lyle Patterson Gym Friday, Feb. 2. The win gave the Comets an 8-4 league record, 11-7 overall, with two league games left to play.On a night when the seniors and their parents were given recognition, seniors Erin Saari, Kellyn Pakenen, Cheryl Steppe, Jenny Klinger, Colette Beaulaurier, Sandra Rodriquez, Kelsey Fletcher and cheerleader Kristina Chism were given special attention. Coach Bob Torppa said, "We were very emotional from senior night, and didn't get out on their shooters very good. We also were three of 11 from the floor in the first quarter."The Comets put together an exceptional team effort with seven players scoring and seven players contributing to their rebound total of 36 rebounds. Brandi Keightley, with 14 points and Saari with 12, were in double figures for Naselle. Steppe and Ashley Ahlstrom were also close to double digit scoring. Saari, who had an outstanding all around game with eight assists and four steals, led the Comets' rebounders with eight boards. Ahlstrom and Beaulaurier each added six rebounds. Keightley's all-around team-leading game also included three rebounds, two assists and four steals, with the added bonus of converting seven of eight free throw tries in the fourth quarter.However, things didn't start out that way as the first quarter had the feel of a Crusaders march to the sea. The Tacoma Baptist girls ran over the Comets to the tune of a 15-8 first quarter as the early game went in the Crusaders favor.The Comets balanced attack, led by Keightley and Saari, began to pay dividends in the second period as the Comets began to gain control of the boards and make their shots. The turn-around resulted in a 15-9 second period and Naselle had closed to within a point of the visitors at 24-23 at the intermission. The Comets still had trouble making their free throws in the rough game but an improvement had been made. The question was whether that change would carry over into the second half.Torppa said, "In the second quarter we were four of six from the floor and only seven of 18 from the line, but with better job of defending their shooters we were able to hold them to nine points, to put us with in one by halftime. We shot eight of 11 from the line in the fourth quarter. Brandi Keightley was seven of eight from the line in the fourth quarter to seal the deal."The Comets game second half did hold up, but it wasn't easy. The Comets were able to take the lead with a 16-12 third period as the rough and tumble game got a little more furious. The best was yet to come for the Comets.Keightley made seven of eight free throws in the fourth quarter as the Comets held their lead by making eight of 11 free throws in the quarter. The Comets two points scoring advantage, 14-12, in the period allowed them to add to their lead and hold on for their 53-48 win."Raymond plays North Beach at NB. If they lose they will be 10-4. Valley plays South Bend at SB. If they win they will be 10-4. We play Northwest Christian at NWC on the sixth. Then we play Tacoma Baptist at TB on the ninth. If we win both, there will be 10-4, there will be a three way tie for second, and second gets a first round bye. THAT'S BIG," an optimistic Torppa concluded.If the Comets finish in second place in league, they will play their first District Tournament game on Friday, Feb. 16, in Castle Rock against the winner of the Pacific 6-Central 3 game. If they finish third or fourth, they will play their first tournament game in Naselle's Lyle Patterson Gym against either Central 6 or Central 5 on Tuesday, Feb. 13. If they finish fifth or sixth, they will play at either Central 4 or Central 3 on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The tight Pacific League race will be decided this week, with the final league games played on Friday, Feb. 9.

Tacoma Baptist (48) - Brown 16, Shank 11, Tuell 10, Finley 9, Rea 2

Naselle (53) - Brandi Keightley 14, Erin Saari 12, Steppe 8, Ahlstrom 7, Landis 5, Pakenen 4, Beaulaurier 3;

FG - 46 percent,
FT - 51 percent;
Rebounds (36): Saari 8, Ahlstrom 6, Beaulaurier 6, Steppe 5, Pakenen 4, Landis 4, Keightley 3; Assists (12): Saari 8;
Steals (11): Keightley 4, Saari 4l
Turnovers (18)