FALLSBURG — The Fallsburg Comets had an impressive win over the Seward Spartans in a Girls Basketball matchup this Wednesday night. It was a back and forth shootout all night with multiple players scoring in the double digits, but in the end the Comets were able to secure a close 44-33 win.

The energy from the start was electric with Fallsburg opening with an aggressive full court press. Seward scored first but their time on top did not last for long with the Comets scoring on multiple steals that became fastbreak layups. Fallsburg took a tight early lead and ended the first quarter 10-6 over the Spartans.

In the second quarter it seemed like Seward was taking a page from Fallsburg’s playbook with multiple steals that turned into fast break layups. However, the Comets’ defense was able to stop their drives and Seward was unable to convert on any of those forced turnovers. When Fallsburg stopped the press for a few minutes early in the second, it seemed as though Seward might close the point gap. But the Comets restarted their full press and steamed ahead to end the second quarter with a 17-14 lead.

Seward came out of the gate strong after the half and instantly tied the score on their first pass with a 3 pointer. The third quarter was rife with steals and forced turnovers due to both teams playing aggressive and fast full court presses. Fallsburg’s Maya Ballard and Jennifer Pera Fuentes  were integral to the Comets’ strategy of stealing the ball and getting an unguarded fast break, with Fuentes scoring the game high of 18 points. Seward fought hard but Fallsburg was able to increase the deficit and finished the third leading Seward 27-22.

The fourth quarter echoed the rest of the game and was an intense battle throughout. At first, it seemed like Fallsburg was pulling away as their defense kept Seward from scoring at all in the first half of the quarter. 

But then Seward’s offense kicked up with multiple 3-point shots and layups in a row to bring Seward back within six points of Fallsburg. 

In the end, foul shots saved the game for Fallsburg with six points coming from the line in the fourth quarter. Fallsburg was able to finish the game with a 44-33 win over Seward.

Coach Michael Ballard said this when asked about the game, “We started with an aggressive defense and pressed almost the whole game. We were very defensively sound and that led to multiple baskets from defensive steals turned into fast break layups. We played well and I’m proud of my team, now we just need to be ready for Port Jervis next week.”