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The Helias Crusaders didn’t play their best game. But when they needed it, they put enough together to find a way to win. “The last couple of innings, we shored things up and got the win,” Helias coach Chris Wyrick said after the Crusaders defeated the Fatima Comets 5-3 on Thursday at Lions Field.
For years, the Jefferson City Jays have had to watch the championship game of their home tournament, the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic, from the stands, hoping the next year would be their chance to finally play for the title. That chance finally came Friday night, and the Jays didn’t let the opportunity slip through their fingertips.
There are two teams making their debut this week in the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic. The Fatima Comets are one of them, and they’ve been relishing this opportunity for a long time. “Our kids are super excited,” Fatima coach Ryan Robertson said. “They’ve been growing up watching this tournament as kids. They come to practice during Christmas break every year, talking about the tournament, the performances, the teams."
The bragging rights are back in Osage County. Tuesday night’s rivalry matchup was a seesaw battle, but the Fatima Comets never trailed. Fatima ended the first half on an 8-0 run and made plenty of free throws in the fourth quarter, pulling away to a 57-46 victory against the Blair Oaks Falcons. The win snaps an eight-game losing streak for the Comets against the Falcons, but Fatima coach Ryan Robertson was quick to note Blair Oaks made it difficult on his team to finally break the streak Tuesday.
The Fatima Comets have watched the Joe Machens Great 8 Classic year after year from the bleachers at Fleming Fieldhouse. This year, they’ll be one of the eight teams playing on the court. “They were excited to go watch. For them to be a part of it, you can feel the energy from them,” Fatima coach Ryan Robertson said of the Comets’ first Classic appearance during Wednesday’s press conference. “They’re excited, they want to compete.