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Cottey Comets fall 64-59 to Penn Valley Scouts
The Cottey College Comets managed to stay within striking distance of the Penn Valley Community College Scouts all night Wednesday, but were unable to get enough shots to fall in the last couple of minutes, losing to the Scouts 64-59. This loss against the toughest opponent they have seen so far puts the Comets 6-3 for the season and 0-1 against regional opponents.
Comets head coach Dave Ketterman said that they knew going in this would be a very physical game.
"Penn Valley is very physical and well coached," he said.
"Our kids played hard, but they have to finish and get to the boards," he said.
Ketterman said that when his players would go inside they would get beat up by the other team and there were not as many calls against Penn Valley as he felt there should have been.
"The kids have the bruises and scratches but did not get the reward," he said.
He said they also need to do a better job of rebounding.
"We gave them a lot of second chances," he said.
Ketterman said that one of the differences between this season and last is that he does not have anyone they can give the ball to and be reasonably certain they will be able to score at a key time.
He said that is not putting this team down, but they do not have anyone to fill that role.
"Last year we had Lacy (Leonard) who we could count on," he said.
Leonard, a 2005 Nevada High School graduate and 2007 Cottey graduate, averaged more than 20 points per game for the Comets during the 2005-'06 season and was twice selected for the first team of the National Junior College Athletic Association. She currently plays for the University of St. Mary's.
Ketterman said that during the last couple of minutes when they were down by six points they concentrated on three point shots and were not able to hit enough.
"At the end we were down three," he said.
Ketterman said that this was the Comets final game before Christmas break, which starts Dec. 20.
He said his players will be back on campus Dec. 31 to start practicing for the heart of their season with region 16 teams.
"They get to spend New Year's Eve with me," he said.
He said that he hopes to get in seven or eight practices before they head for St. Louis to play Forest Park on Jan 3, Meramac on Jan 5, and Florissant Valley on Jan. 7, all region 16 opponents.
Ketterman said that there is no clear front-runner in the region. Most of the teams have a lot of new players and a couple of teams have new coaches.
"Last year you had North Central and two years ago North Central and Meramac," he said.
"The front-runner this year could have one or two losses," he said.
Jessica Roberts led the Comets with 17 points including 3-3's, followed by Melissa Hedges with 15 points, 2-3's and 5-6 free throws and Molly Fricks with 12 points.
Liz Wagoner scored eight points and 4-4 free throws, Meleah Painter, six points, and Shanda Moon one point.
Hilary Walker led Penn Valley in scoring with 18 points and 9-10 free throws followed by Nikita Norwood with 10 points.
The Comets next home game will be Jan. 12 when they host Ozark Christian College.