On Friday, the Comets lost to Russellville, 70-50, to cap a tough week.

“Overall, despite three losses, I felt like our kids gave us great effort all week,” said Coach Matt Baker. “I was especially encouraged after our game on Wednesday night against Owensville. I felt like our kids battled on both ends of the floor against a veteran team and gave ourselves a chance to win against a more experienced team. Our youth is still showing up in moments, but I feel like our young kids are receptive and are learning quickly.”

Friday’s game started well, as the Comets trailed by just two after the first quarter; the spread moved to even by halftime, 35-28. “I think this may be the most complete team we have played this season,” said Baker. “They had quick, active guards who can all shoot the three, and a 6’8’ post player who finishes well around the rim and protects the paint on the other side of the floor. All that being said, we had a 15-8 lead late in the first quarter. I thought our press gave us a spark, and we capitalized around the rim, and we knocked down open threes early as well. As the game progressed, we had some foul trouble, and we struggled to convert good looks.

Fatima trailed by seven with 2:30 to play. “Once again, we had more than a few opportunities to cut into the lead, and we just didn’t finish, and Russellville ran away late,” said Baker. “Xavier Stuecken had a great game for us in this one.”

Stuecken scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. “He’s doing a great job at the top of our press and zones, being disruptive and converting steals into dunks and layups,” said Baker.

Blake Kliethermes drained three treys en route to 13 points, as Evan Klouzek sank two from long range as part of his 10 points. Devin Luebbert added four, and Ty Brandt hit a trey for his three points. Henry Robertson, Luebbert, and Kliethermes posted two assists apiece.

On the glass, Luebbert grabbed four rebounds, Klouzek had three, and Kliethermes and Blake Wieberg finished with two apiece.

Defensively, Stuecken’s four steals paced the team, with Klouzek and Kliethermes adding three each.

On Wednesday, the Comets hosted the Dutchmen, losing a low-scoring contest, 39-36.

Fatima had a 20-12 lead through the first quarter, but scored just four points in the second to trail 25-24. Owensville won the third and fourth by 7-6 scores to pull out the win.

Stuecken (trey) led with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Klouzek (2 treys) put in 12 points, as Kliethermes (trey) scored five, Luebbert had four, and Robertson posted two. Klouzek and Kliethermes dished the ball three times apiece.

Luebbert added eight rebounds, as Robertson added four, and Kliethermes and Klouzek finished with three each.

Klouzek counted four steals and a block, and Stuecken secured three steals.

The JV team had a 26-16 lead at the half and continued the momentum in the second half to win 53-24. “Our kids have made huge strides game by game,” said Coach Cooper Kleffner. “This was only our 4th Jv game, and I’m glad they were able to get on the floor, play, and learn.”

Trent Stuckenschneider led with 20 points with five three-pointers. “He’s been shooting the cover off of the ball and has been a good leader,” said Kleffner.

Jack Wieberg added 13 points (3 treys), and Cash Mengwasser scored 10.

In a two-quarter C game, Fatima defeated Owensville19-7.

“These kids deserve the win for the amount of hard work they have put in,” said Kleffner.

On Monday of last week, the Comets varsity squad lost 58-50 to South Callaway.

Fatima shot 39.6% overall, just below SC’s mark of 42.3%. However, the Bulldogs covered 12-30 from three-point range while the Comets hit 3-22. Fatima converted 9-14 from the FT line on the night.

The Comets led 27-24 at the break, but SC flipped the script, winning both second-half frames.

Luebbert (2-3 FT) led with 16 points, as Kliethermes (trey) added 14, Stuecken (5-5 FT) put in 11, Brandt (2 treys for 6 points), Wieberg (2), and Robertson (1). In the assists column, Robertson had a team-high four, and Luebbert and Kliethermes added one apiece.

Stuecken again had the rebounding lead, counting nine, as Kliethermes added seven, Wieberg grabbed five,  and Luebbert posted four.

“Both the South Cal and Owensville games were tough, physical battles,” said Baker. “I was happy with our defense in both games, as those teams had a slew of great shooters, and our defense gave us a chance down the stretch of both games to win. Unfortunately, we just didn’t capitalize around the rim late in the games. On both nights, we had opportunities to take a lead late in the games, but we struggled to hit THE bucket to get us over the top. Devin had a great game on Monday night. He was active defensively, rebounded well, and went strong to the rim and finished like a true post player. On Wednesday, Klouzek got the start and gave us a nice effort as well. He came out and provided instant offense for us and had some huge steals late in the game vs Owensville that gave us opportunities to stay in the game.”

As for the JV team’s game against SC, the Bulldogs pressed early in a 55-45 loss. “We were hurting ourselves by turning the ball over,” said Kleffner as the Comets trailed 20-5 after the first quarter. “Our kids battled back and cut the deficit to 11 points by halftime. They fought the whole game, and we ended up falling just short of a comeback win.”

Trent Stuckenschneider hit five treys and scored 18 points, and Mengwasser added 14.

Fatima lost a two-quarter contest to South Callaway 31-18.