The West Liberty Comets boys' basketball team was defeated 47-66 by the Northeast Rebels of Goose Lake at West Liberty Dec. 6. It was the Comets' first official game of the season.

"I give a lot of credit to Northeast," West Liberty Head Coach James Laughlin said. "They're a good-shooting team. I told the kids beforehand that they're going to be shooters, and we need to make sure that we identify those shooters and get a hand up."

The Rebels made nine three-point shots in the game and fouled the Comets frequently. Unfortunately, the Comets only made 15 of 31 from the charity stripe.

"We've been a poor free throw shooting team in practice (as well), Laughlin said. "We're working on it. We haven't gotten there yet. We need to make sure we keep improving on that. It bit us in the butt tonight."

First quarter

Troy Heick faced off against Northeast's Nick Wall for the tipoff, and the tip went to Brett Becker for the Comets. A charging foul gave the ball to the Rebels, but Riley Anderson got a steal, and Kyle Miller hit a three-point shot, assist Becker. The Rebels answered with a three to tie the game at 3 to 3.

Carl Guardado made a basket and was fouled on the shot. He missed the free throw, but the Comets were up 5-3, and Becker grabbed the board. Guardado got an offensive rebound, then Miller got a putback basket for a 7-3 West Liberty lead.

The Rebels turned the ball over then got a block and a three-point shot. The next score was midway through the quarter with a bucket by Miller, assist Becker for a 9-6 score. Northeast scored a three-pointer with 3:48 on the clock to tie the game at 9-9.

The next seven points went to the Rebels on an outside two-pointer, a three-point shot, and a drive inside for a 9-16 tally. The Comets called a time out with 2:04 left in the quarter.

Cooper Koenig drove to the basket and scored for an 11-16 score. The final basket of the quarter was a very long three-pointer by the Rebels, who took a 19-11 lead into the second quarter.

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Free throws bring Comets down