Comet seniors say long goodbye

By Sue Hoefer

Press Correspondent

Senior Night is always a bittersweet evening for those involved.

For the athlete, it is the last time they will be introduced by the home announcer;  the last time they will go down the hallway and dance together; the last time they will be in front of the great Comet Gym crowd.

For coaches, this is the first stage of goodbye and they want this night to be a celebration for all their seniors have done for the program.

Players will remember many things:  their first year together; how much they have improved as players; the inside jokes that have developed in practices and bus rides.

The parents will be filled with joy and sadness. As excited as they may be for the future plans their daughters have, they also will miss the countless hours they spend cheering on them on.  No more listening as they vent about how hard practice was, but also no more celebrating the big plays they’ve made.

Last Friday, the Comet girls basketball team celebrated four special seniors as they prepare to move on from Comet Gym and from the program itself.

Honored were Sarah Barry, Taylor Hoffman, Jamie Sindlinger and Megan Staudt. Hundreds of thousands of shots taken, miles of sprints in practice,  hours sitting on a bus on cold winter nights, and pasta nights with endless bread sticks are just a few of the memories that they have for the past four years.

Each player had their own thoughts about the imminent conclusion of their prep career.  Jamie Sindlinger said, “It’s been a learning experience.  It’s pretty sad that it was our last time playing on this floor. All the hard work these past four years led up to senior night.  It’s been a great four years!”

For Sarah Barry, the time has gone way too quick.

“These past four years have flown by,” she said. “It seems like just yesterday I was a freshman just stepping foot in Comet Gym. It has been such a thrill to play in front of our home crowd.”

Megan Staudt reflected back saying, “I’m sad that this was our last home game and last time playing as a team in Comet Gym.  I’ve loved every second I played in our gym with all my teammates.  If I could do it all over again I would.”

The final senior to have put on the Comet uniform and play basketball was Taylor Hoffman.

“To think this was my last game in Comet Gym fills me with many emotions,” Hoffman said. “Playing these past four years has been amazing and I’m going to be sad when it’s over.  I have so many memories and experiences in this gym.  I have loved playing basketball and being a member of this team has taught me so much.”

It was not only a special night for the senior players, but also for head coach Danielle Rippentrop.

“This is my first group to go through as a varsity coach,” said Rippentrop, who took over the program four years ago. “They are a great group of young ladies.  They have grown so much.

“They have been through so much and I’m and proud of the young ladies they have become.  It says so much about them with all their time and dedication as well as their faith in me as a coach.  Basketball is a hard sport to compete in and they have done it well.”