Comets unable to defend scorers inside the lane

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

LAPLACE– SCC’s boys varsity basketball (2-2) and JV got physical with Parkview (5-0) on Tuesday night in the Comet Gym, but couldn’t overcome a height disadvantage and fell 40-27 in the first game and 82-60 in the second.

The varsity game started off with a fast start as John Bonura got the Comets on the board first with a three-pointer on SCC’s first possession. Parkview used their height to answer back quickly as Bonura got a basket from inside the lane. St. Charles’ fast start looked good after another three by Bonura put them ahead by one mid-way through the first quarter, but would go on a 15-4 run to pull away from the Comets by 21-11 by the end of the period.

SCC struggled in the second quarter just the same as a host of Parkview players shared the offensive looks after establishing their inside game in the first. St. Charles’ Andrew Coleman, who scored 100 points through three games in a Hammond tournament last week, kept the Eagles honest with a couple of big baskets to break the momentum, but the Comets were unable to stop Parkview enough defensively to keep up on the other side of the court. Consequently they went into halftime trailing 43-21.

SCC came out of the break with a bit more offense as Bonura again made a three-point play after he was fouled on a jumpshot and Coleman sank a couple of free throws, but Parkview was on the mark early, posting six points in just more than three minutes of the third quarter. Parkview would run away in this period, ending it with a 30 point lead.

St. Charles managed to catch up a bit in the final quarter of play to make it respectable, but the damage had been done and Parkview walked out with the 82-60 win.

JV teams get physical

The early game featured some tough play by both teams as stiff fouls brought the refs into forefront. Both teams wound up in foul trouble by the end of it all and a few technicals were called to restore order on the court.

The aggressive play was a reflection of the comptetion as the two teams traded blows throughout the first half and into the second in a pretty even contest. With just more than three minutes left in the third it was a four point game, but Parkview began to pull away with a 13-8 run later in the period. The Comets kept it interesting late in the fourth with a steal and a lay-up all in one possession, plus a foul to get some energy from the SCC crowd. But with a 34-25 lead, Parkview stiffened up on the defensive side and allowed only one more basket from the Comets while netting a few for themselves for the final, 40-27.