Comets stymied by Tiger defenses

Courtesy of The Chinook Observer
2/21/2007
By PHIL RAISTAKKAObserver corespondent

DAMIAN MULINIX photoKellyn Pakenen, Erin Saari and Ashley Ahlstrom can do nothing but watch as the final minutes tick away on their district playoff game with Napavine Saturday night in Castle Rock. The rentless defense by the Tigers held Naselle to just four points in the last three quarters of the game.

2B District 4 Basketball PlayoffsComets stymied by Tiger defensesNapavine girls stay undefeated with 56-12 win in district playoff
CASTLE ROCK - Going into their opening District 4 Girls 2B Basketball Tournament game against the Naselle Comets, the Napavine Tigers had a 20-0 season record and a number one ranking in the state's class 2B girls basketball poll. Coming out of the game, the Tigers improved to 21-0 as they crushed the Comets 56-12 in the game played in the Castle Rock High School gym Friday, Feb. 16. The Comets season record dropped to 13-10.The Comets were within striking distance of the Tigers through one quarter as they only trailed 14-8 after one. However, the Comets were only able to get off 30 shots in the game, including 0 for 7 from three-point range, and they were only able to make 13 percent of their shots. That lack of offense spelled disaster for the Comets as they were outscored 12-2 in the second quarter, 18-0 in the third period and 12-2 in the fourth quarter.Only one of the Comets, Ashley Ahlstrom, shot well as she scored six points on 3-of-5 shooting. Three other Comets scored while the rest of the Naselle roster went scoreless. The Tigers were led by their 5-foot 5-inch guard Courtney May with 16 points and their 6-foot senior center Alicia Richardson with 15 points.This Tiger team is a "now" team as well as a team for the future. They only have three seniors on their roster, Alicia Richardson, one of their scoring leaders. The rest of the team roster includes three juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen. The only thing that the Tigers appear to be missing in future years is height as their nine returning players, with almost a 42 point scoring average, top out at 5-foot 7-inches in height.The Comets girls, now in the losers' bracket, where one more loss ends their season, took on the Wahkiakum Mules Monday. Feb. 19. The first time that these two teams met this season, in the fourth game of the year, the Comets beat the Mules 31-22. The Mules dropped into the tournament's losers' bracket with a 73-41 loss to the Valley Vikings in their tournament opener. If the Comets win their Monday game, they will play again at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21, in Rochester against the winner of the Tacoma Baptist-Raymond game. If the Comets lose their Monday game, their season is over.

Naselle (12) - Ashley Ahlstrom 6, Cheryl Steppe 3, Colette Beaulaurier 2, Sandra Rodriguez 1; FG - 4 of 30 for 13 percent,
3's - 0 of 7,
FT - 4 of 10 for 40 percent;
Rebounds (23): Ahlstrom 4, Steppe 4, Saari 4;
Assists: Pakenen 2; Blocks: Ahlstrom 2;
Steals: Landis 2;
Turnovers (34)

Napavine (56) - Courtney May 16, Alicia Richardson 15, Hamre 5, Erven 5, Goettelmen 4, Potter 2, S. Hylton 2, G. Hylton 2, McNelly 2, Lantau 2;
Turnovers (19)