Lady Comets lose two; look forward to playoffs

by CARL SULLENBERGER

Sports Correspondent

What the Lady Comets lack in size they more than make up for in heart, drive, and intensity. No one who follows basketball can deny that height is a major factor, but the Comets and their coach never let it stop them from giving every opponent a thoroughly challenging game.

Last Monday's weather makeup game with the Bees went to Brecksville, 43-31. Marissa Thomas had 13 points and Lizzie Soto had eight in the second meeting of the two teams.

On Wednesday, Amherst hosted the Westlake Demons in the final regular season game. Westlake won their first match with Amherst 45-34.

At the tip-off Amherst exploded onto the court setting the Demons back of their heels. At just over four minutes into the game the Comets were ahead 8-0. "We came out and surprised them a little bit with our intensity," explained coach John Rositano.

Unfortunately, the level of play was more than any team could maintain against the towering and talented Demons.

"Once they adjusted to that intensity, toughness, all those intangibles, and they settled down, well, they know where their bread is buttered," Rositano said. "We tried doubling and doing some different things but when you've got three 6-foot-1 girls and you're in there for 32 minutes, they wear somebody like us down with just the size and the strength and the talent. They're good."

By the end of the first period Westlake took control of the game turning the tables on Amherst. The first quarter ended with the Demons ahead, 12-10. When the half was over the Demons had a solid 28-19 lead. With their confidence restored Westlake systematically took the game to its logical conclusion and a 48-29 conference win.

However, one had to admire the Lady Comets (14-6 overall and 8-6 in the Southwestern Conference) as they stayed in the Demons' face for the remainder of the game.

"It's not a lack of effort. They went after them," Rositano said. "They play hard, they fight, they scratch. Sometimes the team with the better players wins."

Rositano and the Comets have their eyes on the playoffs that begin Saturday February 27. "Like I told them, our goal is to play against them in a championship game. We're going to do whatever we can to get to that point."

The season isn't over yet. The sectional tournament in Medina beckons.

The Lady Comets are seeded second in the Medina district tournament and have a first round bye. They will play the winner of last night's game between Elyria and Akron Ellet on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m.