Comets and Chargers Collide on Monroe Avenue

PEORIA HEIGHTS – There was no need for a bus ride Tuesday night as the St. Thomas Comets and Peoria Christian Chargers renewed their Monroe Avenue rivalry with three hard-fought girls basketball games. The Comets took two of three contests in front of a raucous crowd with the 8th Grade girls prevailing in an instant classic.

If the opening 7th Grade game warmed up the crowd, the 8th Grade matchup blew the roof off. The two teams traded leads all night in a back-and-forth thriller that came down to the final possession with the Comets edging the Chargers, 24–23.

The game was tied 8–8 after the first quarter and remained tight through halftime with Peoria Christian holding a narrow 14–13 advantage. But the Comets caught fire in the third quarter, outscoring the Chargers 9–5 behind a surge from Mazzy Parry, who poured in 5 of her 7 points in the pivotal frame.

Morghan James added 6 points, including key buckets in that decisive third quarter. Riley Reusch scored all 5 of her points in the first half to keep the Comets in it early, while Natalie Braet and Zoe Torres-Ravelo each added a point. Jo Campbell finished with 4 points — none bigger than a late free throw that gave St. Thomas a one-point lead with 30 seconds left in the game.

Peoria Christian called its final timeout to draw up a play for its last possession, but the Comets’ defense clamped down, contested every look and held on for the one-point victory as the final seconds ticked away. 

With the win, St. Thomas continues to build momentum as the season rolls along. The Comets’ 7th and 8th Grade teams return to action Thursday, October 9th, at home against Marquette Heights Georgetowne. Tipoff is at 5:00 p.m. at St. Thomas — right back on Monroe Avenue, where the Comets will look to keep their home-court magic alive.