Charles City boys win what could be final varsity game in Comet Gym

By Erik Hoefer

Press Correspondent

CHARLES CITY — Was last Friday night’s boys basketball contest against Decorah the last Comet varsity game ever in Comet Gym?

With the new middle school taking shape and gaining ground towards completion, and with a new competition gym a part of that project, it’s certainly possible that what has been the home of the Comets for the past 55 years has now seen its last varsity event.

And as has been the case so many times over the years, Comet Gym did not disappoint.  In fact, the finale was an instant classic.

The Comets and the Vikings battled back and forth for 32 exciting minutes before Charles City came out on top 53-49.

It was close from beginning to end.

Charles City jumped out quickly in the game’s first few minutes. Running floaters in the lane by both Mike Cranshaw and then Jack Molstead followed by a Shane Feller layup after a terrific pass from Molstead put the Comets up 6-2 early.

Decorah ended the quarter on a 5-0 run, however, and it was tied 10-10 after one.

The two teams were virtually even throughout the second quarter as well.

Cade Hemesath’s right baseline turn-around jumper and a Molstead three put the Comets up 18-17.

Late in the period, two dynamic plays surged the Comets into a halftime lead.

With seven seconds left in the second and Decorah leading 22-19, Molstead’s driving layup was followed by a steal by Noah Schlader. Schlader fed Molstead for another layup, and suddenly it was 23-22 Charles City.

Comet Gym was rocking.

The Comets tried to pull away in the third, only to be dragged back by the Vikings.

Charles City scored 10 of the first 11 in the second half. Not even a Decorah timeout could quell the momentum caused by another Feller layup, a Hemesath jumper, a steal by Feller that led to a Cranshaw breakaway, and a Brandt Gebel driving layup.

It was suddenly 33-23 Charles City!

Later in the quarter, however, Decorah scored nine straight to eventually tie the game. The Viking momentum continued through the end of the period, and Decorah led 40-37 after three.

The fourth quarter was tight. Decorah jumped ahead a couple different times only to see Comet senior Ian Dailey hit a pair of 3-pointers that brought the Comets back.

Decorah still led by 1 with under a minute to go when Molstead hit a running jumper from near the free throw line to give the Comets the lead. Decorah missed a three, and the Comets got the board.

Gebel was eventually fouled and went to the line. He made the first, giving Charles City a two point lead. The second missed, but the long rebound was corralled by Feller. Gebel wound up with the ball back in his hands, leading to another foul. The senior stepped calmly to the line and sank both attempts to give the Comets the final margin of victory.

Head Comet basketball coach Todd Forsyth knows how good the vibes have been over the years at Comet Gym.

“It’s a pretty special place,” he said. “It holds a lot of memories for an awful lot of people. Comet Gym has been a great home court advantage over the years. It’s very personal in Comet Gym. You get the feeling the fans are right there with you.”

As for the game, Forsyth credited a pregame speech by former Comet standout and soon-to-be Iowa High School Athletic Association basketball Hall-of Famer Greg Brunner with momentum going into the game.

“Greg gave an amazing and very special and emotional message in the locker room before the game,” Forsyth said .”He talked about giving effort for their school, for each other, for their community…it was special. Add in senior night and parents night and, well, the pump was primed.”

As for his seniors, Forsyth had nothing but praise, both for the Decorah game and their careers as Comets.

“A lot of seniors pulled through tonight,” said Forsyth. “Brandt hit those free throws down the stretch. Shane was strong throughout. Ian Dailey nailed those two threes, those were huge. He has worked tremendously hard for that opportunity, and he sure came through.

“These seniors, they’ve been a great group to work with. They have been terrific leaders for the younger kids in the program. We will miss them.”