Comets already excited about what lies in store for them in 2005-06 campaign

BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

LAPLACE-It was not how they wanted to end their season, but considering how far that they had come, it was not something that they will look back on with regret.

The district champions of 10-3A were knocked out of the playoffs last Friday night when St. Charles Catholic was defeated by Landry, 60-47.

Michael Troglen led the Comets with 22 points and Jon Bonura added 10 in the defeat.

With the loss, the Comets conclude their season with a 14-15 overall record.

In it until the end against Landry, the story of the game was the fourth quarter as the Comets were outscored 22-13 in the game’s final period.

“We battled hard,” St. Charles Catholic Head Coach Jeff Montz said of his team’s performance against Landry. “We played against a very good team that probably would have not been a wild-card had they not have had to forfeit some games earlier in the season. Eventually you have to play the best to get to the finals. We just happened to catch them earlier.

“We battled throughout and the game could have actually gone either way. Late in the game they got a little cushion and were able to do some things that we were able to limit them from doing earlier. We just could not overcome it.”

Montz said the difference in the game was the foul trouble that his team got into late in the game and the effect that it had on the other aspects of the contest on the offensive and defensive sides of the court.

“We got in foul trouble and they got a small cushion on the scoreboard,” Montz said. “That allowed them to pull us out of the defenses that we wanted to employ and forced us to come out and get them a little bit. That style of play catered more to them.

“Had we had maintained a tie score or a lead that would have never happened. When they gained that small advantage late in the game they were able to do some things that they were unable to do in the beginning of the game.”

Despite the defeat, Montz said he is extremely proud of his team and their performance this season and is looking forward to an even better 2005-06.

“I was extremely proud of the guys,” Montz said. “I was disappointed that we could not have advanced, but we didn’t fail to advance because of a lack of heart, effort or desire. We just happened to go up against someone who played a little better than us in the fourth quarter.

“We have a strong nucleus back for next season and now they have some experience in the playoffs. They have learned to win a district championship. Those things will definitely play to our advantage and be helpful for us in the future.”