The new basketball season is one weekend old, and the form book is already in pieces. Cedar Falls Comets, who finished ninth last season, beat champions Riverton Hawks 88-81 on Saturday night, led by 21-year-old guard Teo Abara, who scored 27 points in his first full league start.
Playing in their bright yellow home jerseys in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,200, the Comets trailed by eleven points at halftime. Abara then scored 15 points in the third quarter alone, driving to the basket again and again against a Hawks defense that had no answer for his speed.
I told myself to stop thinking and just attack. The crowd did the rest.
Teo Abara, Cedar Falls Comets guard
The Hawks, who lost two starters over the summer, struggled from long range, hitting just 6 of 27 three-point attempts. Coach Daniel Moreau was blunt afterward. “We were slow, we were soft, and we deserved to lose,” he said. “It is one game. But it is a warning.”
Other surprises
Newly promoted Greywater Peaks marked their first top-flight game with a 79-74 win over Lakeshore, helped by 14 rebounds from veteran center Mikael Strand, who came out of retirement this summer to help his hometown club.
Northvale Steel, tipped as title challengers after spending heavily in the off-season, needed overtime to beat Westmoor 92-90 and lost new signing Jordan Ellery to an ankle injury in the first quarter. The club said he would be assessed this week.
New rules, mixed reviews
The opening weekend also gave fans a first look at the league’s new rules. Teams now have a coach’s challenge in the final two minutes, and video review was used five times across the six games. Most coaches welcomed it, though several complained about the length of the stoppages.
We want fewer mistakes at the end of close games, not more interruptions. We will review the first month and adjust if needed.
Helena Brook, the league’s competition director
The Hawks get a quick chance to respond when they host Northvale on Wednesday, while the Comets travel to Greywater for a meeting of the two early-season surprises.
Comments 2
Was at the game in Cedar Falls. Abara in that third quarter was something else.
One game, everyone calm down. The Hawks will be top of the table by Christmas.