ROCHESTER – The Naselle Comets allowed the Northwest Christian Navigators to score on a three-point bomb only 12 seconds into the game, didn’t score themselves until almost half of the first quarter had been played, and then didn’t allow the Navs to score again until only 25 seconds were left in the quarter. Along the way, the Comets had built up a 11-4 first quarter lead.

That was to be kind of a preview of how the Comets second district tournament game was to go, against the Pacific League’s second place team. After an upset win over Pe Ell in their first game, the Comets were primed to move on.

They increased their lead to 24-13 at the half as Sean Houghton and company continued to score while stifling the Navs offense with a tight 2-3 zone defense.

Houghton, who was to lead the Comets with 24 points in the game, scored seven points in the quarter, including a trey. Jordan Petrovich turned feeder in the period with only one point, but he was to score 14 in the game, including two treys.

The Comets also got scoring support from Robin Andrea with seven points, Evan Hendrickson with five, and Tom Gradt with four points. The last two named individuals were also fighting the flu while they tried to help the Comets get into the semifinal round.

The Comets control only slipped up slightly in the third period and early fourth quarter. The Navs, with John Baxter pulling the trigger for seven third quarter points, led the Navs comeback. They outscored Naselle 12-6 in the quarter to only trail 30-25 after three.

The Navs continued their comeback, even with Baxter sitting on the bench with four fouls, and narrowed the gap to 32-31 with 6:05 to play. The Comets then went on a 7-0 run with Houghton making two free throws, Hendrickson a put back rebound, and Petro a trey. Naselle led 39-31 with 3:54 to play.

The Comets who had continued their torrid foul shooting with Gradt again perfect from the line, were to make 14 of 18 freebies in the fourth quarter alone. Houghton was to make 11 of 12, Petrovich four of four, and Gradt two of two in the final eight minutes.

That free throw shooting offset the Navs attempts to come back without Baxter who fouled out with 3:28 to play. The Comets 14-8 run in the last 3:28 were more than enough points to give the Comets their 53-39 win. The Comets record improved to 12-10 with the win.

“We are definitely peaking at the right time,” said coach Ryan Bjornsgard. “The guys are listening to what we want to do and they are giving 100 percent, and are playing like they want to keep the season going. Morton is going to be a tough team for us to play. They play good defense and they have some real good shooters.”

The win put the Comets into the tournament’s semifinal round against the Morton Huskies, the Central League’s number one team, this Saturday, Feb. 22. The game is tentatively scheduled to be played at 5:30 p.m. in the Hoquiam High School gym. There is strong possibility that one of the Naselle vs Morton games will be moved so that both of the Naselle-Morton boys and girls games will be back-to-back at the same site.

Naselle 11 13 6 23 – 53

NWC 4 9 12 14 – 39

Naselle (53) – Sean Houghton 24, Jordan Petrovich 13, Andrea 6, Hendrickson 5, Gradt 4, Johnson 1, Queral, Badger, Marion, Torppa, Queener; FG – 12/31 =. 387, 3s 4/11, FT – 25/37; Rebounds (27): Houghton 9., Andrea 5, Gradt 4, Petrovich 4, Hendrickson 4; Assists: Houghton 3; Steals: Andrea 4, Houghton 4; Turnovers (15); Fouls (8)

Northwest Christian (39) – John Baxter 15, Kevin Kikugawa 11, Schade 4, Ruiz 4, Post 3, Barr 2, Pratt, Broeker, Grant, Kehoe; Lamb; FG – 16/47 = .340, 3s – 5/17, FT – 2/5; Rebounds (23); Turnovers (16); Fouls (27)