by RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

The St. Charles Lady Comets are looking for answers as they enter the stretch run of this season.

The Comets struggled offensively last week in district losses at Port Allen, 42-32, and at home to Brusly, 56-43.

After a red hot December pre-district run, it leaves St. Charles with four losses in its first five district games.

“It’s been so disappointing for us, especially for our seniors,” said St. Charles Coach Erin Remondet. “We’ve been disgusted with it. The girls have gone into each of these games believing that they’re ready to play and bust out of this slump. But we just haven’t been able to climb out of the hole yet.”

On Friday night, Port Allen held the Comets (14-12, 1-4) to 12 points in the first half while establishing a lead, and held on for the victory.

Brooke Becker led the Comets with 17 points. Brittany Roussel added six.

The win allowed Port Allen to move into second place in District 9-3A, behind first place Plaquemine (16-8, 5-0).

Defensively, there were few issues for the Comets, who held Port Allen (5-13, 3-1) to five first quarter points and allowed no more than 13 in any quarter.

But, as has been the case throughout district play, the Comets struggled to score and create momentum.

“We played great defensively for the most part,” said Remondet. “But if we’ve had one glaring problem recently, it’s that the ball simply isn’t going in the basket. That’s been the bottom line for us.”

That problem was multiplied against Brusly (8-8, 3-2) on Tuesday, as it affected the Comet defense. St. Charles again struggled with its shooting, and an athletic Panthers squad took advantage, rebounding the ball and getting out into transition.

“We were one-and-done on our possessions,” said Remondet. “We weren’t defending their athleticism and getting back on defense.

“Like I told the girls after the game, if we make even a third of those missed shots, that eliminates almost a third of those fast break buckets, just by giving us a chance to get set up defensively.”

The teams were tied at 11 after a quarter, but then the Panthers got rolling. They outscored St. Charles 36-22 in the second and third quarters combined, and held on in the fourth.

The Panthers’ Shantrell Pierson was also a thorn in St. Charles’ side. She notched 30 points in the game, a constant source of production.

For the Comets, Becker again led the team with 13 points. Michelle Marzoni added 12. Roussel and Dominique DiCarlo each scored nine.

The Comets faced district leading Plaquemine at home last night, after press time, and have two games remaining to try and turn things around – at home on Friday night against Lutcher, then next Friday at Brusly.