Comets defeat Indians 66-63 in final regular-season home game

Press Staff Report

CHARLES CITY — Comet senior captain Jordin Ritter recorded the first double-double of his career with a 20-point, 10-rebound performance with seven of those boards coming off the offensive glass during Charles City’s 66-63 win over Northeast Iowa Conference rival Waukon, Friday at Comet Gym.

Ritter also dished out three assists and blocked two shots, and senior Riley Perez scored 18 by way of 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc for the Comets, who improved to 8-10 overall and 6-1 in the NEIC after Friday’s win, which was Charles City’s final regular-season home game.

Freshman Talin Hemann had 18 points and eight offensive rebounds for Waukon (8-10, 3-4), which trailed 34-21 at the half before outscoring the Comets 22-9 in the third quarter to tie the game at 43-43 going into the fourth quarter.

With a previous 65-51 win on Dec. 20 in Waukon, the Comets swept their regular-season series with the Indians.

After Monday’s road game at Mason City, Charles City has two remaining games to close out the regular season — this Friday (Feb. 14) at Decorah to take on the Class 3A No. 2-ranked Vikings, who defeated the Comets 77-43 on Jan. 10 at Comet Gym in their previous meeting this season for Charles City’s lone conference loss; and at Center Point-Urbana on Feb. 18 to conclude the regular season.

Postseason bracket pairings for Class 3A and 4A schools won’t be released until next Monday (Feb. 17).

CHARLES CITY 66, WAUKON 63

Scoring By Quarters

Waukon 11 10 22 20 — 63

Charles City 21 13 9 23 — 66

Individual Scoring

WAUKON — Dalton Frick 5, Colton O’Neill 16, Vaughn Stegen 10, Talin Hemann 18, Dylan Stegen 9, McKinley Rostvoid 2, Ethan Palmer 3.

CHARLES CITY — Victor Ward 9, Nick Williams 5, Jordin Ritter 20, Henry Ruzicka 8, Riley Perez 18, Ezekiel Causey 4, Jackson Ruzicka 2.

RECORDS — Charles City 8-10 (6-1 Northeast Iowa Conference), Waukon 8-10 (3-4)