A key to Castons resurgence in girls basketball in recent years has been the play of post players Anna Brown and Mickayla Rans.

The duo are putting up good numbers for the 7-4 Comets this season. In fact they have been rebounding machines as they are combining for almost 16 rebounds per game.

Five-foot-11 Brown is averaging 8.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and 5-foot-9 Rans is at 11.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest.

I think they do a good job of setting the tone inside, Caston coach Carl Davis said. We want to get the ball inside to them and were at our best when we get the ball inside to start our offense. Theyve both done a good job of developing their game and both can score with their back to the basket. Thats something a few years ago that we really didnt have. They also do a good job of controlling the boards and both do a good job of rebounding for us.

The duo helped the Comets go 13-10 a year ago, their best season since they went 13-6 in 1997. The Comets are one game ahead of last years pace when they started 6-5 after 11 games.

Both Brown and Rans said the Comets have a close-knit group this year. The team features five seniors that make up the core of the team that have been playing basketball together since they were in elementary school.

Were really good at communicating and were so close as a team, and that has really helped, Brown said. Weve all kind of grown together.

Were not surprised [with the recent success] because weve all worked hard as a team. Were not surprised at the outcome.

The Comets finished runner-up at the Cass County Tournament. They were able to stay within 24 points of Class 4A No. 8 Logansport that features Miss Basketball candidate Whitney Jennings in a 64-40 loss in the Berry Bowl. Brown along with teammate Marli Leazenby were named to the all-tournament squad.

The Comets opened Midwest Conference play with a 46-45 win in double overtime at Frontier on Dec. 21. Rans had a double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

The rest is here:

Brown, Rans help lead Lady Comets' resurgence