Bulldogs rally back from 21-point deficit to defeat Comets 70-68

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — There is nothing that gets the home crowd in a frenzy more than the good ol’ fashion 4-point play.

When Charles City sophomore Henry Ruzicka hit his second 3-point field goal during Saturday afternoon’s non-conference boys basketball game against Algona, it gave the hosting Comets a 20-point lead (54-33) with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

But wait. There’s more.

Ruzicka was fouled in the act of shooting as his ensuing free throw capped the 4-pointer while adding to what is currently Charles City’s biggest lead over an opponent this young season.

Yet from that point on, it was “Who Let the Bulldogs Out?” as Algona rallied back dramatically with a stunning come-from-behind 70-68 victory on the road.

With Algona effectively employing a ball-trapping as well as ball-directing zone for the entire second half, the Comets were suddenly stymied on offense while being held to 8 points in the fourth quarter.

Not only that, the Comets turned the ball over repeatedly for open-court opportunities that the Bulldogs immediately cashed in for points enabling them to pull closer.

After a steal and layup by Evan Allie, Algona pulled within 5 (66-61) … or rather within two possessiona with 2:24 left in regulation.

From there, the Bulldogs continued to lengthen the game for nearly 20 minutes in real time, making immediate substitutions after made baskets while negating Charles City’s penchant for pushing back up the floor after being scored on.

Algona’s prolific scoring senior Ben Helmers was relatively held in check in the first half. But scorers are going to get their points whether you like it or not, as Helmers continued to attack the basket and ended up scoring a game-high 31 points.

Helmers’s driving basket tied the game at 68-68 with 45 seconds left in regulation.

Soon after, Helmers assisted a layup by Allie with a well-placed inbounds pass from near the timeline to put the Bulldogs up 70-68 with 26.2 seconds left in regulation.

Allie had 15 points for Algona (2-0).

Like Helmers, Allie also had a hard time getting going in the first half. Though the Comets have one of the shorter varsity basketball rosters in the state, they have been surprising teams with their vertical “hops” while blocking numerous shots of their predominately taller opponents.

Allie and Helmers had several of their shots blocked during the first half, but that stopped neither one of them from aggressively taking it to the hole for the remainder of the game while making adjustments with their bodies and shooting hands to finish at the rim.

Charles City senior Jesus Villagomez led the Comets with 22 points. Much of the output was made possible by senior guard Jordin Ritter, who dished out a season-high 12 assists.

Ritter also led his team with nine rebounds.

Junior Victor Ward scored 15 and Ruzicka finished with 11 for the Comets (1-2), who will be back in action this Friday the 13th when they travel to Cresco to take on the Crestwood Cadets.

ALGONA 70, CHARLES CITY 68

Scoring By Quarters

Algona 18 11 16 25 — 70

Charles City 24 20 16 8 — 68

Individual Scoring

ALGONA — Evan Allie 15, Levi Walker 4, Ben Helmers 31, Jacob Burns 3, Nathan Manske 7, Jaxon Eischen 10.

CHARLES CITY — Victor Ward 15, NIck Williams 4, Jordin Ritter 7, Ezekiel Causey 3, Henry Ruzicka 11, Riley Perez 6, Jesus Villagomez 22.

RECORDS — Algona 2-0, Charles City 1-2.