By Jennifer Cesarz
Correspondent
The Delavan-Darien High School boys basketball team’s season got under way last week with a win over Janesville Parker and a loss to Fort Atkinson.
The Comets, under head coach Bob Beighton, bring a small line-up to the court with the tallest starter just over 6 feet tall.
“What we lack in height,” we make up for in skill and talent,” Beighton said.
The Comets return a solid group of three-point shooters in seniors Isiah Ramos, Isaac Ramos and Jesse Collins and junior William Brown.
That group, along with sophomore Ethan Cesarz, who starts his second year as the Comet center, set D-DHS records in three-point shooting last year.
The Comets also bring back senior Sam Alder and add two more three-point threats in juniors Lucas DeLara and Austin Ryan.
Rounding out the Comet roster is senior foreign exchange student Julius Kursatz, juniors Zach Koch, Ramon Gonzalez and Jacob Klewin and sophomore Jayce Crull.
“We are young as far as their grades in school,” Beighton said of his roster with only five seniors. “We do have kids that have played basketball. They are not first year players.”
Beighton said his team likes to compete and is very competitive.
“They are not going to back down,” Beighton said.
Defense will be key for the Comets to succeed this year and Beighton says it starts there.
“Defense will be our point of emphasis. We need to be rock solid on defense,” he said.
He said another point of focus will be on better offensive decisions.
“Offensive execution will help defensive execution,” Beighton said.
The Comets hosted Janesville Parker on Nov. 26 and used a 38-28 halftime lead to lift them to the 75-71 victory.
Behind 14-for-20 three-point shooting, the Comets were able to hold on for the win after being outscored 46-37 in the second half.
DeLara had a strong performance as a first-time varsity starter, scoring 31 points and adding five rebounds.
Isiah Ramos added 15 points, and Brown had 10 points with seven assists.
Saturday the Comets faced off against former Southern Lakes Conference rival Fort Atkinson and lost, 65-48.
Brown had 15 points to lead the Comets, and Isaac and Isiah Ramos added 10 points each.
The Comets are in action Friday night when they travel to Muskego for a 7:30 p.m. non-conference game.
Tuesday the Comets host Lake Geneva Badger in their first conference game. Game time is 7 p.m.
