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Indians spoil Comets’ ‘Senior Night’

By Sue Hoefer

Press Correspondent

CHARLES CITY — There was plenty of emotion before the start of Charles City’s girls basketball game against Waukon on Friday night in Comet Gym.

There was a moving ceremony remembering Amy Boley Heiter, a former Comet basketball player who passed away last April from a rare form of cancer called sarcoma.

Following that was a time to remember the seniors players and their last home game of the season.

So headed into tip-off, there was plenty of excitement in the air.

But it didn’t prevent Waukon from leaving town with a 56-44 victory.

Waukon was first on the board, and with a patient offense in the first quarter, led 6-0 halfway through before senior Jamie Sindlinger hit the first shot for the Comets.

The Comets’ defense came alive after that and forced the Indians into a series of turnovers.  Kelsi Crooks hit a jumper in the lane and then made a pair of free throws, helping the Comets tie the score at 8-8 after the first.

The start of the second was all Waukon.  Before the Comets could blink, the Indians had forced two quick turnovers for easy baskets and a 6-point lead.

Crooks would again answer with two buckets of her own to bring the Comets back within 2 points again — only for Waukon to answer back and pull away again.

Both team would trade baskets through the second quarter before Crooks — who played her best game of her career — came up with yet another big shot and nailed a buzzer beater jumper to bring the Comets to within 3 points at the end of the half.

The third quarter started out much like before the break.  Both team played solid defense and traded occasional baskets.

Payton Reams had a steal with a lay-up.  Crooks drained a pair of left baseline jumpers.  Add in some freethrows for both Sindlinger and Bailey Mitchell, and the Comets produced 9 points in the third.

But Waukon would string together a couple of runs during the end of the quarter that Charles City couldn’t answer, swelling its lead to 10 (39-29) going into the fourth.

The fourth was a productive offensive quarter for Charles City.  Sindlinger came out and scored twice off lob passes from both Crooks and Taylor Hoffman.

Sindlinger would unfortunately foul out of the game midway through the fourth.

Gen Wandro had a huge lay-up for Charles City to pull within 7 points with 3:30 left in the game.  That was the closest they would get to the Indians.

Crooks, who has been improving every games as of late, undoubtedly had her best game of the season. With 22 points, including 4-4 on free throws, and 11 rebound Kelsi had her first career double double.

Coach Danielle Rippentrop was very pleased with Crooks’s performance

“Best game of her career,” Rippentrop said. “She’s really clicking right now.  A huge threat on offense and a beast on the boards and defensively.  I love how she has been playing.  A great time of the season for her to playing so well.”

Sindlinger was next on the team for scoring with 13 points and 8 rebounds.  Mitchell chipped in 5 points and six rebounds for the Comets (1-15, 1-8 Northeast Iowa Conference).

Freshman McKenzie Cooper had 18 points for the Indians (9-10, 5-6).

The Comets will head to Waverly-Shell Rock to face the No. 11 ranked Go Hawks.  Junior varsity will play at  6:15 with varsity to follow.

Press Photo by John Burbridge Charles City senior Jamie Sindlinger, left, makes a strong move to the basket during Friday’s girls basketball game against Waukon. Sindlinger scored 13 points, but fouled out midway through the fourth quarter.
Press Photo by John Burbridge
Charles City senior Jamie Sindlinger, left, makes a strong move to the basket during Friday’s girls basketball game against Waukon. Sindlinger scored 13 points, but fouled out midway through the fourth quarter.

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