By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

St. Charles placed third out of eight teams in the St. Martin’s/Country Day tournament last week, splitting four games at the event.

“It was a lot of good competition,” said SCC Coach Nolan Louque. “There were teams with a lot of speed, some run and gun types, and teams with size to go along with it. We got to see all phases of the game. I thought we adapted well.”

The Comets (8-5) defeated Sacred Heart 39-29 in a game to determine third place.

Brooke Becker scored 27 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the Comets. Katie Terrio added nine rebounds, and Jaymie Remondet chipped in four points.

St. Charles had to shake off a slow start offensively after taking a 6-5 lead after the first quarter. The Comets led 19-12 at halftime and 29-19 after three quarters.

SCC led by as many as 16 points in the second half.

The game before that victory was a 73-57 loss to St. Martin’s, despite a monsterous game by Becker. The senior center scored 46 points and snagged seven steals against the tournament hosts.

“We run our offense around Brooke,” said Louque. In most games, we feel like we’ll be pretty competitive as long as she’s on the court.”

St. Martin’s led 29-24 at halftime, but pulled away in the second half.

In the team’s second game of the tournament, Ben Franklin scored 20 points in the third quarter to separate itself in a largely defensive game, 46-29.

Franklin led 13-9 at halftime, but outscored the Comets 20-9 in the third quarter to take control.

Becker scored 17 points to lead seven SCC scorers.

“Ben Franklin’s a big, fast team. It allowed us to play a team with a lot of height and quickness to go with it, the types of teams we know we’ll have to go through eventually.”

The Comets opened the tourney with a win, a 38-35 victory over McGehee.

St. Charles led 28-20 entering the fourth quarter, but McGehee threatened to force overtime late. SCC was able to hold off the charge.

“The girls were patient with the ball. They came out pressing, and we didn’t turn it over,” said Louque. “Brooke hit a couple of big free throws, and we were able to hold on there.”

Becker led the team with 19. Terrio scored nine. Dominique DiCarlo added six.