Cottey falls short vs. Penn Valley

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

NEVADA -- A poor second half had Dave Ketterman stumped.

After a solid first half, Ketterman's Cottey Comets struggled after intermission in a 63-44 loss to Penn Valley on Thursday night at Hinkhouse Gymnasium.

Cottey led 24-23 at halftime, but the visiting Scouts outscored the Comets 40-20 in the second half for a lopsided victory.

"We saw some positives in the first half," Ketterman said. "I thought we executed well."

As far as the second half, Ketterman said he had no explanation.

"I don't have any real answers," he said. "They made some adjustments on defense and we didn't adjust very well. We have to do a better job of executing."

The Comets moved the ball well in the first half, executing their halfcourt offense well. Bailey Braden had eight points late in the first half and Cottey led 24-19. Penn Valley scored four-straight, but Cottey led 24-23 at intermission.

"I thought Braden had a great first half," Ketterman said. "We just couldn't seem to get the ball to her in the second half."

Cottey also had some missed opportunities in the first half. Ketterman admitted his team could have had a double-digit lead.

After the break, Penn Valley went on a 9-2 run and never trailed again. The Comets stayed close early in the second half, with Santana Cruz scoring 11 points.

But both Braden and Blaklee Sanders had to go to the bench with four fouls.

At that point, the Scouts, who were a bit cold from the field in the first half, warmed up. Up 49-43 with six minutes left in the game, Penn Valley went on a 13-0 run to put the game away. Many of the scores came in the paint.

After going scoreless for nearly seven minutes, Cottey finally stopped the streak with a free throw late in the game.

Ketterman gave Penn Valley credit.

"They can play, they're very athletic," Ketterman said. "(KeAla) Jones is one of the best players in the region."

A sophomore from Kansas City, Jones scored 20 to lead Penn Valley.

A second year forward, Cruz scored 14 points to lead Cottey. A 5-11 first-year post player, Braden scored 11. Point guard Jordan Davidson added seven points.

Cottey will host Fort Scott CC on Monday night at 6 p.m.

Penn Valley 63, Cottey 44

Cottey: Chelsey Rowland 2 0-0 5, Jordan Davidson 3 0-0 7, Santana Cruz 6 2-5 14, Bailey Braden 5 1-2 11, Samantha Pierce 1 0-2 3, Blaklee Sanders 2 0-0 4, Melanie Skaggs 0 0-1 0, Reanna Henderson 0 0-0 0, Kylie Eldredge 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 (3) 3-10 44. Three-pointers: Rowland, Davidson, Pierce 1 each.

Penn Valley: Jones 20, Randle 11, Ehvuon 13, Quarterman 2, Preston 12, Mael 2, Clark 2, Wiese 1. Totals 24 (2) 9-17 63. Three-pointers: Randle 2.