Strong 2nd half propels Comet boys past Waukon

Press Staff Report
Down by 1 at halftime, the Charles City Comets boys basketball team went on to outscore the hosting Waukon Indians 50-18 in the second half on way to winning 85-54 on Friday.

Much of that surge came from 6-7 senior Bradley Andrews, who scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the second half.

JJ Ritter had 16 points, and Kaden Barry scored 11 for the Comets, who improved to 10-7 overall and 9-1 in the Northeast Iowa Conference, which they lead with two NEIC games remaining — Tuesday vs. Waverly-Shell Rock at home and Friday on the road against Decorah.

Creed Welch had 16 points to lead Waukon (11-7, 4-6).

* While recording a double-double while leading her team in rebounds and a career-high 13 points, Lauren Connell earned perhaps the rarest distinction among varsity winter athletes.

In a span of a week, the Charles City senior won a conference wrestling title (170-pound bracket at the NEIC Varsity Girls Tournament), before leading her high school basketball team in scoring let alone rebounding during Friday’s 60-34 home loss against Waukon.

Much of Connell’s point total came from battling in the paint for put-backs and getting to the free throw line.

The Comets had an off night shooting, though credit should be given to Waukon’s defense, which challenged most every outside shot, flattened and flared out Charles City’s pushes up the floor, played the passing lanes with good anticipation, and shepherded ball handlers into traps, especially while pressing.

Lynn Hoeft, who like Connell was among Charles City’s pending graduates honored during “Senior Night”, seemed on the verge of getting on an offensive roll but played limited minutes due to foul trouble while scoring 12 points for the Comets (5-14, 2-8).

Annika Headington had a game-high 14 points for the Indians (11-7, 5-5).

Boys Varsity
CHARLES CITY 85, WAUKON 54
CHARLES CITY — JJ Ritter 16, Ian Collins 4, Mario Hoefer 4, Trimel Christian 2, Chase Low 8, Marcus Cranshaw 7, Bradley Andrews 23, Kaden Barry 11, Jeremiah Chapman 2, Tait Arndt 6
WAUKON — Sean Cooper 1, Brennan Sweeney 2, Creed Welch 16, Reed Kelly 2, Ethan O’Neill 12, Asher Fahey 7, Braden Hemann 12, Carson Wille 2

Girls Varsity
WAUKON 60, CHARLES CITY 34
Scoring By Quarters
WK 13 13 18 16 — 60
CC 5 4 15 10 — 34
Individual Scoring
WAUKON — Maggie Criswell 4, Regan Griffith 4, Alison Sherman 10, Hailey Regan 4, Ella Hermeier 3, Bailey Shafer 2, Brinley Jones 1, Margaret Wacker 13, Faith Palmer 5, Annika Headington 14
CHARLES CITY — Lynn Hoeft 12, Dani Stock 3, Liz Fiser 2, Mackenzy Bilharz 3, Lauren Connell 13, Sadie Gebel 1