Comet boys defend home court with 78-75 win over Bulldogs

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Several days removed from losing to Clear Lake in double-overtime, the Charles City Comets boys basketball team picked up its first home win of the season with a 78-75 victory over Algona in the latter game of Saturday’s afternoon varsity basketball doubleheader.

The Comets (2-1) led from start to finish while extending their lead to 12 (40-28) at halftime. But Algona found its 3-point range in the second half and managed to cash in on numerous turnovers and pulled within 1 (48-47) midway through the third quarter.

Charles City regained a double-digit advantage early in the fourth quarter (61-51) before the Bulldogs rallied to stay within one or two possessions during various junctures during the final five minutes of regulation.

With a little more than 6 seconds remaining in regulation, Algona had possession for a chance to tie. But after having to travel the length of the court, a would-be tying 3-pointer was challenged and altered to a point where the off-balanced attempt hit the shot clock above the backboard.

Jack Hanson led a quartet of double-figure scorers for the Comets with 18 points followed by Keenan Wiley (15), Chase Low (12) and Jeb Wandro (10).

“I was very proud of our team for the way they came out of the gates against a very athletic Algona team,” Charles City head coach Ben Klapperich said. “ It took a complete team effort to get the job done tonight.  I felt like we controlled the entire game but I credit Algona for always having an answer when we were trying to pull away late.”

Saturday’s game was the Comet debut for junior Kam Mestas, who missed the first two games due to illness. Mestas came off the bench and scored 6 points, 4 of which were from one-handed jams borne from half-court sets when he blew by his defender with his long and quick first step.

“His length and presence makes a difference for our team,” Klapperich said of Mestas.

Alex Manske had a game-high 21 points for Algona (1-1).

The Comets will be back on the road Tuesday to face Iowa Falls-Alden.

“We still need to do a better job of limiting the live ball turnovers,” Klapperich said, “but I can see the leadership in this group grow every game.”

* In the varsity girls basketball game, Algona seized control early while taking an overwhelming 29-2 lead after the first quarter before defeating Charles City 72-21.

The Comets managed to punch back in the third quarter while out scoring the Bulldogs (9-8) with Ava Ellis and Madie Lensing both connecting from 3-point range.

Algona sophomore Lauren McLaughlin led all scorers with 19 points.

Charles City senior Delaney Ruzicka had 8 points for the Comets (0-4), who will host Decorah on Friday.

Girls Basketball

ALGONA 72, CHARLES CITY 21

Scoring By Quarters

ALGONA 29 20 8 15 — 72

CHARLES CITY 2 7 9 3 — 21

RECORDS — Charles City 0-4, Algona 2-2

Boys Basketball

CHARLES CITY 78, ALGONA 75

Scoring By Quarters

ALGONA 15 13 23 23 — 75

CHARLES CITY 22 18 17 19 — 78

Individual Scoring

ALGONA — Tristan Larsen 8, Devin Larsen 2, Ben Helmers 9, Simon Feucht 17, Alex Manske 21, Caden Wever 18.

CHARLES CITY — Jack Hanson 18, Brennan Schmidt 7, Keenan Wiley 15, Chase Low 12, Kayden Kasmeier 2, Kam Mestas 6, Jeb Wandro 10, Drew Martin 6.

RECORDS — Charles City 2-1, Algona 1-1