Comets give top-ranked New Salem a run
By Mary Hefta, BHG News Service
The Underwood Comet girls knew they would be playing a very tough team when they hosted the New Salem Holsteins in their last regular home game in Underwood last Friday night. The Holsteins have been ranked throughout the season in the state polls and head coach Toni Cottingham expected this to be a good game for her team as they prepare for post-season play. The Holsteins scored first but sophomore Abby Landenberger tied it up at the 7:03 mark at 2-2. Freshman Erin Dammann dropped two free throws to go ahead 4-3 but the Comets were unable to score again in the first. The Comets struggled with New Salem’s press and allowed the Holsteins to take advantage of turnovers to lead at the end of one, 13-4. Sophomore Anne Hefta opened the second quarter with two free throws. The Comets wouldn’t score again until the clock hit 4:15 when freshman Charley Auck hit the front end of her two-shot free throws. Landenberger nailed a 3-point shot from the left side baseline but the Comets found themselves down 26-10 with just three minutes left in the half. Senior Taylor Sorensen tossed in a nice pass to Landenberger for two points and Erin Dammann stole the ball and took it end-for-end for a layup. After Emma Lee, a sophomore, hit a short shot under the basket the Comets were down 30-16 with a little over a minute left in the second.
