The Comets regrouped after their loss to Hempfield with an impressive 68-24 win over winless McCaskey but one day later fell short, 56-47, against Manheim Central. Last Tuesday, Jan. 19, they dropped a 46-27 loss to Cedar Crest.

The Comets exploded for 27 first quarter points, held the Red Tornado to single digit scoring in all four quarters and won easily.

Ten different Comets broke into the scoring column with Morgan Miller knocking down a game-high 24, including three triples, and Sydney Shepos adding 10. Lily Sugra (8), Izzy Kligge (7), Kamia Goodley (6), Kimmy Miller (4), Emily Riggs (3), Allie Groff (2), Kelsey Buswell (2) and Riley Peart (2) rounded out the scoring.

One night later, a very slow start proved to be the difference in a nine-point loss the Barons. The hosts racked up 20 first quarter points and held the Comets to four for all the momentum they needed.

"They have a great player in Knier, who we knew we needed to stop, but she had a career-high 30 points," noted head coach Megan Collins. "We need to do the simple things right to get back on track."

Determined, Manor buckled down in the second quarter, holding the Barons to 10. They picked up the offensive pace in the third, tallying 19 points and closing the gap to 44-34 but couldn't get over the hump.

Free throws were also key. The Barons connected on 16-of-24 attempts while the Comets were 9-of-18.

Sugra scored a team-high 24 points.

Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Comets missed their first eight shots of the game and fought from behind from start to finish in a loss to Cedar Crest.

Turnovers and missed points in the paint were a key factor in a first half that saw the Falcons extend a 10-4 first quarter lead with a 17-7 second quarter surge.

The hosts, with some full court pressing and defensive switches, rallied in the third and cut the lead to 22-33. Emily Riggs cut the lead to ten, 34-24, but the Falcons recovered and went on a 11-0 run to take control.

Sugra (12 points) sparked that third quarter, going 9-of-10 from the stripe, but the Comets were denied a single field goal in the frame.

"We just couldn't hit anything the entire game," said Collins. "I thought we played well defensively but if you don't score, you won't win."

BOWLING

The Comets rose to the top of the Section One standings with wins over Hempfield (5-2 on Jan. 14), McCaskey (7-0 on Jan. 15) and Manheim Township (7-0) on Jan. 19.

"We're off to a good start which is important because of our shortened season," head coach Neal Vital. "The Township match was for first place. We were both 12-2 going in so I expected it to be closer."

The Comets took the first two games by over 100 pins and the third by 92.

Delaney Reitnauer, who recently committed to bowl at the University of Delaware, anchored the win with a 667 series while freshman Eva Brubaker was close behind with a 651.

"Delaney has been coming up huge," lauded Vital. "She's our best bowler right now and against McCaskey she bowled a near perfect game of 278 making 11 of 12 possible strikes.

"And our freshman, Eva, is solid as a rock and just jumped into the starting lineup," he continued. "She holds our second highest average."

Charlie Hall also recorded a 600 series, finishing with a 613.

Manor's toughest match of the season was a 5-2 win over Hempfield on Jan. 14.

"They held the lead in every game up to the final three frames," recalled Vital. "We finished strong. Depth is the key to a successful season and we have it."

Manor pulled out an 875-859 first game win before Hempfield came back with a 975-924 advantage in game two. The Comets, with a 208 from Derek Warfel, took the third game 919-852 and won the series 2718-2686. Warfel's 595 series edged Hempfield's Xander Green by one pin.

Lacey Slaymaker backed Warfel with a 593, Josh Stock added a 561 and Reitnauer settled for a 508.

Reitnauer's 715 was tops against McCaskey. Hull followed at 630 and Brubaker added a 603 series.

WRESTLING

In non-league action January 14, the Comets fell victim to Dallastown, 57-18. On the strength of seven falls and a pair of forfeits, the visitors broke a 6-6 tie winning nine of the last 11 bouts.

Dylan Coleman's fall at 160 knotted the score while freshmen Travis Clawson (106) and Gabriel Midile (113), scored back-to-back pins as Penn Manor's only other wins.

"Despite the score, we wrestled tough," said head coach Branden Vernalli. "Travis and Gabe both came up big.

"Colt Barley had an exciting match against a returning PIAA state qualifier," he continued. "He came up short, 6-4, but this was his toughest opponent by far. He wrestled tough."

Non-league action continued Saturday as the Comets lost 66-3 loss to Central Dauphin and then 54-8 against Cumberland Valley.

The lone winner against CD was Barley (189)who topped another returning state qualifier, winning 9-2.

"Travis lost 5-4 to D3 4th ranked William Flanagan," Vernalli stated. "He is showing great signs of leadership and perseverance."

Barley opened the loss to CV with a 17-2 tech fall while Coleman finished the dual with a 2-0 decision.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

Back-to-back games Jan. 14 and 15 were a tall task for the Comets who dropped two straight. At McCaskey on Thursday and, despite a spirited first half, they suffered a 22-5 third quarter blitz that proved to be the difference in a 69-40 loss. Friday night's rally fell short and the Comets suffered a 58-47 loss to visiting Manheim Central.

While both teams knocked down six treys each, the Comets turned the ball over twice as many times as McCaskey.

Randy Short's 12-point night off the bench included four treys. Jack Shipley added 11 points and Brayde Erb finished with 9.

Twenty-four hours later, the Comets hosted the Barons and, despite a furious fourth quarter rally, lost by 11.

"Well 17 turnovers didn't help us," Bellew noted.

The hosts were held to single digits in each of the first two quarters and were down 44-24 before a 23-14 fourth quarter rally. Shipley knocked down a pair of treys that frame, scoring eight of his team-high 17. Reed Lawrence came off the bench with six of his eight. Erb added 10.

Their closest game of the season to date was a three-point thriller (46-43) at Cedar Crest Jan. 19. Tied at 30-30 in the third and then 36-36 in the fourth, Manor gained a five-point advantage midway through the fourth, but the Falcons closed out the game with a 10-2 run.

"We had the ball with a minute left and the game tied but settled for a quick three," said Bellew. "They knocked down a three but we answered with a layup with seven seconds. They finished with two free throws.

"If we don't' beat ourselves, we can be very competitive," he added.

The Comets got balanced scoring in this one with Shipley (12), Ethan Benne (10) and Erb (10) hitting double figures.

SWIMMING

The boys' swim team moved to 2-0 with an 84-79 win over Hempfield Jan. 19. Pan Kunyu won the 200 IM and 100 backstroke, Wes Kendig took the 50 free and 100 fly, and Jayden Almodovar was tops in the 200 free. The trio teamed with Jack Garvey for a win in the 400 free relay and with Everett Barry to take the 200 medley. E. Barry, Colton Garber, Spencer Barry and Garvey also won the 200 free relay.

The girls team struggled against the Knights, falling to 0-2 with a 129-35 result.