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Cadets defeat Comet girls 63-31

Cadets defeat Comet girls 63-31
Press photo by John Burbridge
Crestwood’s Olivia Ollendieck passes the ball away from pressure applied by Charles City’s Lydia Staudt during Friday’s NEIC girls BB game. With both teams looking for their first win of the season, Crestwood prevailed 63-31.

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — In the final seconds of Friday’s Northeast Iowa Conference boys basketball game featuring Crestwood and hosting Charles City, Cadet junior Maurice Powell launched a 60-foot shot in a desperate attempt to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Nothing but net … that is the volleyball net.

From at least one vantage point, Powell’s “prayer” looked as if was at least going to draw iron. Instead, it got snared by the retracted volleyball net up in the Comet Gym rafters assuring the Comets a 53-50 victory.

Charles City senior Jose Hernandez led the Comets with 14 points, including two clutch free-throws after seizing a defensive rebound in a crowd of taller opponents and being fouled when the Cadets failed to go ahead on their final possession before Powell’s shot.

Mario Hoefer had 12 points and led all rebounders with nine boards — six offensive; Jack Hanson had 10 points and five assists; and Chase Low, who was injured late during Charles City’s previous game against Waverly-Shell Rock, was held under double-digits for the first time this season (9 pts.), yet was able to grab five rebounds and come up with a game-high three steals for the Comets (3-3, 1-1 NEIC).

Cadet senior Jeremy Anders led all scorers with 16 points, and Kyler Curtis added 15 for Crestwood (2-4, 0-2), which led 26-25 at intermission before Charles City went on an 8-point run to start the second half.

* The first game of Friday’s varsity doubleheader was a battle for the first victory of the season between the both previously winless Cadets and Comets.

Crestwood was able to get that elusive “W” in a 63-31 final.

Cadet junior Olivia Ollendieck had a shooting day that NBA all-time leading 3-point shooter Steph Curry would be proud of as she was 10 of 20 from the floor and 5 of 5 beyond the arc for a game-high 25 points.

Tara Koshatka also shot well from 3-point land for the Cadets (3 of 5) while scoring 11 points. Britain Ferrie also scored 11 for Crestwood (1-4, 1-1).

Though the Comets are still looking for their first victory of the season, there have been stretches during the season in which they play good basketball.

A three-minute span of this came midway through the third quarter. The Comets were breaking the Cadets’ press, driving to the basket while drawing fouls, playing defense with their feet, and anticipating passing lanes while coming up with steals.

All this nearly got them back in the game after trailing 33-13 at halftime.

But Crestwood finished strong with a 15-5 fourth quarter while winning going away.

Delaney Ruzicka scored 7 points; Ava Ellis had 6 points and six rebounds; and Hannah Hoffman scored 5 and led all rebounders with seven boards — four offensive.

Both the Comet boys and girls teams will be back in action on Tuesday (Dec. 21) with an NEIC varsity doubleheader against New Hampton on the road ahead of the holiday break.

Girls Varsity

CRESTWOOD 63, CHARLES CITY 31

Scoring By Quarters

CW 15 18 15 15 — 63

CC 6 7 13 5 — 31

Individual Scoring

CRESTWOOD — Olivia Ollendieck 25, Tara Koshatka 11, Brylee Ruppert 5, Erica Ollendieck 1, Maddy Ollendieck 3, Allison Ferrie 5, Cameran Moellers 2, Britain Ferrie 11

CHARLES CITY — Madie Lensing 3, Lydia Staudt 5, Lauren Staudt 1, Maggie Boss 1, Hannah Hoffman 5, Delaney Ruzicka 7, Ava Ellis 6, Jadyn VanHorn 3

Boys Varsity

CHARLES CITY 53, CRESTWOOD 50

CW 12 14 10 14 — 50

CC 11 14 10 18 — 53

CRESTWOOD — Nick Dietzenbach 2, Maurice Powell 6, Jeremy Andera 16, Jackson Gaul 3, Caleb Kammerer 2, Zach Mehmert 6, Kyler Curtis 15

CHARLES CITY — Jack Hanson 10, Jose Hernandez 14, Brennan Schmidt 3, Mario Hoefer 12, Chase Low 9, Jeb Wandro 5

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