The Hanover-Horton Comets staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Columbia Central 45-40 in a pivotal Cascades West conference matchup. The victory moves both teams to a 7-2 conference record, leaving them tied for first place.

The Comets trailed 36-28 with just over four minutes remaining, but a late 16-2 run, fueled by clutch defensive stops and timely offensive execution, turned the tide. Hanover-Horton head coach Andrew Birch credited the team’s defensive effort for the turnaround.

“Biggest factor was finally feeding off our defense,” Birch said. “Got some quality stops late, got the crowd into it, and made a few strong offensive plays late to secure it. If we continue to feed off our defense, we will be tough moving forward. Channing Hull and JJ Russ’s defense was great. Chan took four charges. We didn’t play great until five minutes to go in the game, but defense kept us in it.”

Luke Soper led the Comets with a stellar performance, tallying 23 points and eight rebounds, including 10 points in the fourth quarter. He was instrumental in the comeback, hitting key shots, including a three-point play, and converting five free throws in the final minute. JJ Russ contributed six points and six rebounds, while Brady Tamblyn added six points, including a crucial three-pointer that helped Hanover-Horton stay in the game during the first half.

On defense, Hull was a standout, taking four charges and disrupting Columbia Central’s offensive rhythm. Hanover-Horton held the Golden Eagles to just one field goal in the final four minutes of the game.

The game was a battle of star players early on, with Soper and Columbia Central’s Derek Sanders showcasing their scoring abilities. Sanders led the Golden Eagles with 16 points, while Jack Gorton and David Munro added eight and seven points, respectively. Despite a strong start, Sanders was held to just four points in the second half as the Comets’ defensive adjustments took effect.

Hanover-Horton led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter but trailed for much of the game, including an eight-point deficit early in the fourth. The Comets took their first lead since the opening quarter when Jack Wooster hit a three-pointer just inside of 2 minutes remaining in the game to go up 38-36. From there, Soper and Russ sealed the game with key plays on both ends of the court.

Season Outlook

The victory highlights Hanover-Horton’s resilience and defensive identity as they continue their strong season. With a 7-2 conference record, the Comets remain a top contender in the Cascades West race. If they maintain their focus on feeding off defensive stops and executing in high-pressure moments, they will be a formidable force as the season progresses.