by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
The Coleman girls basketball team was able to put themselves right in the thick of the Mid-State Activities Conference race Monday night. The Lady Comets were able to dethrone the defending league champs, 50-45, in what certainly felt like a key game.
“This was a big win for our program,” head coach Nick Katzinger said. “St. Charles ran through our conference last year and was 4-0 in conference this year. We had three players have a double-double. Defensively we made big stops when we needed to. St. Charles came out in the third and made a small run but these girls fought back and took the lead in the fourth. I’m proud of all these girls, and their fight. We need to enjoy this tonight and come ready to focus on our team goals (next practice).”
Coleman held a slim 15-14 lead after the first quarter, and it was a 19-18 Comet lead at the half. St. Charles pulled ahead 34-30 entering the fourth where Coleman was able to play well down the stretch for the win.
Katelyn Pnacek had a big game with 22 point, 10 rebounds three blocks and three steals, Maddy Miller added 13 points, 10 steals, four rebounds and three blocks and Havahna Dejongh added 10 points, 14 rebounds, three assists. Amber Nehrig had two assists and Lexus Baker had four steals.
On Friday Coleman won an MSAC game in Ashley, 52-11.
“Everyone had a part in the win,” Katzinger said.
Pnacek led the way with 15 points and 11 rebounds and three blocks and Madisyn Croslin had nine points.
Coleman (5-1 overall, 4-0 MSAC) hosted Merrill on Wednesday, plays at Carson City-Crystal tonight (Friday) and returns home to take on Meridian on Tuesday.