Comets hit the hardwood in McPherson, Kansas

Former Cottey Comet combo guard Kelsey Acton, drives to the basket during a January home game. The Comets will search for additional perimeter offense, as Acton led the team in scoring the past two seasons.

Matt Resnick | Daily Mail

The Cottey Comets basketball team unofficially opened its season on Saturday with a trio of scrimmages at McPherson (Kan.) College. The Comets were edged by McPherson (JV) in the opener, 41-39. In the second contest, Cottey fell to McPherson (varsity) by 17 points (final score unavailable), and in the final game the Comets were defeated by Dodge City Community College, 35-21.

Cottey head coach Stephanie Beason said stats were not kept, but that she was pleased with the play of her squad. The Comets received a boost, with the return of 5-foot-7 forward Karlie Acton, who missed last season with a knee injury.

“Karlie returned to the court and is looking better than ever before,” noted Beason of Acton’s play over the weekend in McPherson. “She was our best defender her freshman season, but very rarely chose to be a threat on the offensive end. Since being released (post) surgery, she’s worked really hard on her skill-set offensively and, is now taking those opportunities given to her within the offensive set. She had a great weekend on the court for us.”

Added Beason: “These were our first scrimmages while (our opponents) had participated in another jamboree, making it their (fourth, fifth, and sixth) scrimmage games.”

The Comets lost several key players from last year’s team, including All-Region 16 combo guard Kesley Acton, who led Cottey in scoring the past two seasons. The Comets also took a major hit in the low post, losing its top two rebounders — Cheyenne Ortiz and Kasey Acton.

“We have some big shoes to fill, and available spots for people to step up and take,” said Beason, adding that Kelsey and Kasey Acton, and Ortiz are assisting with practices. The trio exhausted their JUCO eligibility, but could return to the court in the near future if Cottey is accepted into the NAIA.

Beason said without Ortiz and Kasey Acton anchoring the frontline, the Comets will utilize a much smaller, guard-oriented lineup.

“We’re going to have to make it a point of emphasis to block out and out-rebound our opponent every game,” said Beason.

Beason said another key to success will be her squad’s ability control the tempo of games.

“In McPherson, all three teams full-court pressed us, and we didn’t have any major issues breaking the press,” said the fourth-year head coach. “Now we need to take that same confidence into the half-court when being pressured as well. If we swing the ball and run our offense, we typically have some pretty good (scoring) options (available).”

Beason welcomes in impact freshman Katrina Cantu, of Bakersfield, Calif. Cantu, the only freshman on the 2017-18 Comet roster, suffered a dislocated finger during the McPherson scrimmages, but isn’t expected to miss any additional time.

“What a great addition she’s been,” said Beason. “Katrina will be our primary point guard this season and we will rely on her to control the tempo of the game offensively. In high school, Katrina was referred to as the ‘floor general’ and, things will be no different in a Cottey uniform.”

Continued Beason: “Katrina has an incredible basketball IQ and does a great job of finding the open person within the offense. She is also a threat offensively from anywhere on the floor and will be an entertaining player to watch as the season progresses.”

Up next

The Comets open their season Wednesday with a road match-up against Hesston (Kan.) College. Tip off is slated for 5:30 p.m. Cottey’s home-opener is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 6 p.m., as the Comets welcome North Arkansas College to Hinkhouse Center.