Strong finish can’t save Comets from Saints, 58-40

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Blocked shots will get you some “OOOHHHs” and “AAAHHHs” as well as some humiliating gestures spewed at the victim compliments of the peanut gallery whenever the swat is done in the name of defending the home court.

Average a little more than two a game and Defensive Player of the Year honors may be in tow.

But it’s not always the blocked shots that makes someone so dominant on defense, but the altered shots.

Saint Ansgar senior post player Elizabeth Jenkins had her share of blocks during Saturday’s non-conference girls basketball game against the hosting Charles City Comets. But you can also say that she altered more than her share while helping the Saints contain the Comets to 13 first-half points before winning 58-40.

For Saint Ansgar (2-3), it stopped a three-game skid after a season-opening win.

For Charles City (0-6), it left the team still searching for its first win of the season despite finishing strong against the Saints.

In addition to leading her team in blocked shots, “altered” shots, and rebounding, Jenkins also led the Saints in scoring with 12 points. Molly Jenkins added 10.

After struggling to get the offense going while attacking the post, the Comets grew more proficient as the game progress.

With help from senior guard Payton Reams getting her the ball in good position in the paint, junior Jodie Sindlinger scored a game-high and season-high for her and the team 20 points. With freshman Sadie Gebel scoring 4 points in the post with Sindlinger resting a spell on the bench, the Comets were able to generate 24 points in the paint.

Olivia Zuspan had 7 points for Charles City, and had one of the team’s two 3-pointers — freshman Kiki Connell had the other.

Charles City will be back in action on Friday (Dec. 15) when it hosts Oelwein in the first game of a girls-boys varsity doubleheader.

SAINT ANSGAR 58, CHARLES CITY 40

Scoring By Quarters

SAINT ANSGAR 13 16 15 14 — 58

CHARLES CITY 6 7 10 17— 40

SAINT ANSGAR (58)

Elizabeth Jenkins 12, Molly Jenkins 10, Tanyon Schutjer 7, Samantha Hemann 6, Brooklyn Hackbart 8, Hali Anderson 9, Hannah Patterson 6.

CHARLES CITY (40)

Jodie Sindlinger 20, Olivia Zuspan 7, Sadie Gebel 4, Payton Reams 3, Kiki Connell 3, Lynn Hoeft 3.