Comet coaches attain milestone wins in DH sweep of Bulldogs

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — When you’re looking for your first win of the season but are down by 2 with less than 40 seconds remaining in regulation, nothing comes in more handy than the good ol’ “5-point play”.

In the latter half of a Saturday afternoon varsity basketball doubleheader hosted by Charles City, the Algona Bulldogs were able to regain an upper advantage (60-58) in what had become a back-and-forth non-conference boys game.

Out of a timeout, the Comets were able to give senior shooting guard JJ Ritter enough space to launch a 3-point shot to seize another lead change.

Right when Ritter’s shot found the bottom of the net, there was a whistle. Algona’s bench immediately protested as it didn’t appear Ritter was fouled in the act which would have prompted a chance at a 4-point play.

But it wasn’t that — it was worse. While the ball was in flight, a Bulldog tried to “bulldog” Comet junior Ian Collins out of rebounding position and was called for the body check. With Charles City being in the double-bonus, that gave the Comets two free throws to add to Ritter’s trey.

Though Collins split the pair with Charles City only cashing in 4 of the 5 possible points, the turn of events turned the game around for good as the Comets prevailed 66-62 while evening their record at 1-1.

Ritter, who had three 3-pointers all in the second half, finished with a game-high 23 points.

After Bulldog senior Noah Nelson — who led Algona with 20 points — put his team up 46-45 with a “4-point play” after he was fouled shooting a trey — Ritter’s 3-point play borne from a no-look assist from Chase Low after Low secured an offensive rebound capped a 5-0 run that put Charles City up 50-46.

Low, who scored 19 for the Comets, later had a 3-point play of his own to put Charles City up 55-54 with 2:46 left in regulation after the Bulldogs responded with a run of their own.

Charles City set the tone defensively from the tip as Algona was held scoreless six minutes into the game.

Nelson, who had five 3-pointers, finally got locked in during the second quarter enabling Algona to creep up from behind.

When Kyle Simpson completed a 3-point play, it put Algona up for the first time (37-36) with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Charles City’s win marked the 100th career victory for Comet head coach Ben Klapperich, who formerly coached at Rockford.

Incidentally, Charles City’s 33-29 win in the previous girls varsity game was another significant victory for a Comet coach.

“It’s nice to get that first one out of the way,” remarked Comet girls head coach Tyler Downing, Charles City’s veteran baseball coach who took over the girls program just weeks before the start of the season.

“It’s great to see these girls transfer what we’re trying to teach them in practice to the game.”

Senior Sadie Gebel and junior Ashlyn Hoeft led a modest yet balanced scoring attack for the Comets with 7 points apiece.

Delaney Ruzicka scored 6 points and Ava Ellis added 5 for the Comets, who also benefited from the return of All-Northwest Iowa Conference point guard Lydia Staudt, who was unavailable for Charles City’s season-opening loss to state-ranked Clear Lake.

Much like in the subsequent boys game, Charles City’s girls set the tone defensively at the start as they held Algona to 2 points nearly seven minutes into the game.

When sophomore A’Lailah Perry scored a floater along the baseline, it put the Bulldogs up 27-25 with 6:44 left in regulation.

A 3-point shot by Hoeft put the Comets back in front (30-27) before Charles City was able to convert at the line during Algona’s must-foul situation in the final seconds of the game.

“You never know how a team will respond after losing the lead in the fourth quarter until it actually faces the situation,” Downing said. “Our girls responded.”

Girls Varsity

CHARLES CITY 33, ALGONA 29

ALGONA — Tora Solbach 10, Lillian Etherington 6, Cailey Carroll 2, Izzy Henry 3, A’Lailah Perry 8.

CHARLES CITY — Lydia Staudt 4, Dani Stock 2, Aubrey Hoeft 2, Delaney Ruzicka 6, Ava Ellis 5, Ashlyn Hoeft 7, Sadie Gebel 7.

Boys Varsity

CHARLES CITY 66, ALGONA 62

ALGONA — Noah Nelson 20, Kyle Simpson 10, James Wartick 6, Garrett Goche 2, Tyler Manske 6, Aaron Weringa 11, Jackson Cecil 5, Jack Beenken 2.

CHARLES CITY — JJ Ritter 23, Jose Hernandez 7, Ian Collins 9, Chase Low 19, Kaden Barry 5, Jeremiah Chapman