CC contests with challenging practice

CHARLES CITY GIRLS BASKETBALL

CC contests with challenging practice

Two freshman to help lead the way for Comets in 2015-16

The Comets aren’t adhering to the conventional ways of practice and starting lineups this season. With confidence, the system head coach Danielle Rippentrop is running in Charles City is sure to work.

In practice, the Comets are going up against some larger opponents then other team members: other boys to be exact.

Rippentrop said the taller frames of boys help train the her team to go up against larger opponents.

“We haven’t done this in the past because there was a law or code against it when I first got here,” Rippentrop said. “But now that’s lifted, so it’s something we’re going to continue to do throughout the year.”

The tall stature of some of the boy players this season will test the two starting freshmen on the team.

Samantha Heyer and Jodie Sindlinger will both have their work cut out for them as they transition from eighth-grade basketball to varsity.

“(Samantha) Heyer is an all around athlete,” Rippentrop said. “We’ll be looking for her at the point guard position this year.”

The other freshman, Sindlinger, will act as a utility player; able to move the ball around inside and out and showcase an early understanding for the game. Jodie’s sister, Jamie Sindlinger, is a senior on this year’s team. Jamie joins Sarah Barry, Taylor Hoffman and Megan Staudt as the seniors on this year’s squad.

Rippentrop said as a whole, if the freshman can stay calm and respond well to the fast paced environment that comes with varsity basketball, the team should bode well this season.

“As the season goes on, they’ll get better and better,” Rippentrop said. “They’ve got a great group of seniors to look up to. We’ll really be looking for the seniors to step up and have that team chemistry with the freshmen. But as the season goes on, they’ll become better athletes.”

The Comet have already had one game: a 65-35 loss on the road at Clear Lake. They’ll get their season home opener against Garner-Hayfield, Ventura Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

COMETS’ RECENT RECORDS

2014-15: 11-12 2013-14: 13-9 2012-13: 12-11 2011-12: 11-11

By Stephen Koenigsfeld sports@charlescitypress.com