Couch, Mo. – The Alton Comets boys and girls basketball teams traveled to Couch, Missouri, on January 14, 2025, to face off against the Couch Indians in a junior varsity and varsity matchup. Alton won three of the games, and Couch won one game.
JV Games
The junior varsity girls took the court first, playing only two quarters. Lilly Haddock (#3 for Alton) made a three-pointer right before the end of the first quarter. The score at the beginning of the second quarter was 11-6, with Alton ahead. With a little under five minutes in the game, Emma Wigger (#13 for Alton) made another three-pointer for the Comets. The score at the end of the game was 23-11, with Alton taking the win.
Boys
In the first quarter alone, Kendrik Sechrest (#20 for Alton) and two other Comet players made three-pointers. The second quarter was evenly matched as well, with Alton keeping the lead, 26-20, at halftime. Alton continued to keep the lead for the third quarter. With 1:21 left in the game, Couch was making a comeback taking the lead by one point. Couch managed to maintain the lead and won the game 51-48.
Auction
Between the junior varsity and varsity games, a benefit auction was held for Brian Hinton. Dozens of things were auctioned off including chocolate cake, cinnamon rolls, Lion King stuffed animal, chainsaw, TV, banana bread, 20 pounds of hamburg, DQ gift card, quilts, yeast rolls, and Barbie sets to name a few. A benefit dinner of Alfredo, spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread also happened prior to and during the games.
Varsity Girls
The third game of the night was the varsity girls. Right off the bat, Alton jumped ahead leading 14-2 at the end of the first quarter. Alton continued to expand their lead as the game wore on. Miley Haney (#14 for Alton) had multiple three-pointers for her team. The Comets took the win with a score of 55-26.
Varsity Boys
The highlight of the night was the matchup between the varsity boys’ teams. For most of the first quarter, it looked as if Alton would walk away with the win, getting an early lead, but that was not so. Kayden Willard (#1 for Alton) and a Couch player made three-pointers for their teams. Near the end of the first quarter, #11 for Couch made three back-to-back steals rattling the Comets. The score at the end of the first quarter was 20-19, with Couch in the lead.
A Close Match
Couch continued to have the lead in the second and third quarters. Couch managed to overcome Alton’s defense by no-look passes and three-pointers from #3. Near the end of the second quarter, Alton gave Couch a little bit of their own medicine, making several steals and points from those steals. The score at halftime was 30-29, with Couch still in the lead.
Comets Overcome
In the third quarter, Couch was able to extend the lead by more than one point. The score at the end of the third quarter was 47-43, with Couch leading. In the final quarter, Alton kicked in and started to make a comeback and gaining the lead. At one point, the Comets were ahead by ten points. Although Couch tried to get the lead again, Alton took the win 68-61.
