Des Moines, Iowa — A big second half and balanced scoring by the Comets put the defending champions back into championship game with the 77-66 win over Aplington-Parkersburg at the Wells Fargo Arena Thursday morning.
Both teams were cold from the field early, and Boyden-Hull’s Tanner Te Slaa was charged with two fouls early. Aplington-Parkersburg was up by 7 with with 1:41 left in the first quarter, and the Falcons took a 13-8 lead into the second quarter. Boyden-Hull started the second quarter on an 8-0 run to take the lead, but Aplington-Parkersburg responded with a 7-0 run to regain the lead. Heading into the half, the Comets would regain the lead 22-20. Bryan Zylstra and Te Slaa each had 8 first half points to pace Boyden-Hull.
The Comets and Falcons continued to battle back and forth in the third quarter, but Boyden-Hull was able keep the lead heading into the fourth quarter 45-39. The Comets pulled ahead by 11 with just over 2 minutes to go, but back-to-back three pointers from A-P’s Owen Thomas pulled the Falcons to within 5 at 66-61 with just over a minute to go. Boyden-Hull was able to ice the game late to get the 77-66 win.
The Comets went 22 of 25 from the free throw line, and 7 of 17 from beyond the arc.
Boyden-Hull had three players in double figures. Tanner Te Slaa had a game high 24 points, Marcus Kelderman had 22 points, and Bryan Zylstra added 15 points. Aplington-Parkersburg got a team high 21 points from Jayden Mackie.
With the win Boyden-Hull improves to 26-0 on the year. Aplington-Parkersburg’s season comes to an end at 22-4. Boyden-Hull will play in the 2A Championship Friday at 2:30 pm.
