Comet boys pick up 1st victory in blowout win against Cadets

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — If you need to throw a desperate jump ball into the end zone — like my beloved Chicago Bears did in the waning moments of their loss against Cleveland — it’s good to have someone in place who can control the tip if not secure a reception.

Depending if he desires to play football at the next level, Comet senior Keenan Wiley — Charles City’s single-season record holder in receiving yards who led his team in TDs this past fall — might be a good candidate to fill that role in some capacity.

Wiley currently handles opening tips for Charles City’s boys basketball team. Though the Comets were winless (0-5) going into Friday’s Northeast Iowa Conference matchup against Crestwood at home, Wiley had an undefeated record (5-0) when it came to securing possessions to start the game.

Wiley easily kept his streak intact against the Cadets as his counterpart didn’t bother to jump. But Crestwood, also winless at the time, didn’t offer much of a challenge in other facets of the game early on as the Comets jumped out to an 11-0 lead on way to outscoring the Cadets 24-6 in the first quarter and 47-15 through two before a running clock likely prevented the Charles City from attaining triple digits in a 69-32 victory.

Wiley scored a game-high 19 points for the Comets (1-5, 1-2), who also got 14 points from Jack Hanson, whose 3-pointer gave Charles City its aforementioned 11-0 lead; and 10 points from Kayden Kasemeier.

Ben Isaacson scored 9 to lead the Cadets (0-6, 0-1), who didn’t boast a double-figure scorer.

* The previous girls game of the varsity doubleheader was also hastened with a running clock, but this time the Cadets were the overwhelming victors in a 64-26 final.

While anticipating ball reversals and near the top of the key, Cadet sophomore Charley Curtis repeatedly picked off passes for uncontested layup passages on way to scoring a game-high 17 points for Crestwood (3-4, 1-0 NEIC).

For the third game in a row, Comet senior Maggie Boss attained double-digit scoring as her 12 points led Charles City (1-7, 0-3).

Both Charles City teams are due to be in action this week before the holiday break.

The Comet girls will travel to Riceville this Thursday before traveling to New Hampton with the Comet boys on Friday as part of a varsity doubleheader.

Girls Varsity

CRESTWOOD 64, CHARLES CITY 26

Scoring By Quarters

CRESTWOOD 14 21 12 17 — 64

CHARLES CITY 3 7 13 3 — 26

Individual Scoring

CRESTWOOD — Blaire Cummings 9, Charley Curtis 17, Mea Shelton 5, Zoey Mehmert 6, Ella Bergan 4, Dannae Hubka 4, Laney Peter 2, Sarah Anderson 2, Nevaeh Hose 2, Maryn Hvitved 3, Korey Hrdlicka 10.

CHARLES CITY — Madison Lensing 2, Lauren Staudt 2, Maggie Boss 12, Hannah Hoffman 2, Alex Wohlers 4, Evelyn Mayhew 4.

RECORDS — Charles City 1-7 (0-3 NEIC), Crestwood 3-4 (1-0).

Boys Varsity

CHARLES CITY 69, CRESTWOOD 32

Scoring By Quarters

CRESTWOOD 6 9 12 5 — 32

CHARLES CITY 24 23 20 2 — 69

CRESTWOOD — Ty Cotant 2, Brayden Thompson 3, Ben Isaacson 9, Robby Ollendieck 2, Luke Drtina 2, Nolan Johnson 4, Dane Curtin 1, Alex Berg 4, Nate Mahr 2, Reece Ollendieck 3.

CHARLES CITY — Jack Hanson 14, Keenan Wiley 19, Jordan Foster 2, Kayden Kasemeier 10, Victor Ward 7, Jordin Ritter 2, Jeb Wandro 7, Henry Ruzicka 8.

RECORDS — Charles City 1-5 (1-2 NEIC), Crestwood 0-6 (0-1).