R-P basketball player

The Reeths-Puffer boys basketball team is starting to find its game at the perfect time of the season.

The Rockets collected their third straight victory on Friday night by heading south and downing a good Zeeland West squad 62-51 in O-K Green conference action. The victory avenged an overtime loss to the Dux earlier this season.

Junior guard Jaxson Whitaker continued his hot shooting from beyond the arc, downing five three-pointers after hitting six on Tuesday against Zeeland East. 

Whitaker, who led the Rockets with 19 points (plus six rebounds and four assists), is now just one triple away from tying the school record for career three-pointers.

Jaxson Whitaker, seen taking a shot earlier in the season, had five 3-pointers in the win.

Reeths-Puffer improved to 10-8 overall and 7-5 in O-K Green play. While the Rockets are not in the hunt for a conference championship, districts are only a few weeks away and R-P seems to be peaking just on time for the postseason.

The Rockets will host Mona Shores on Tuesday night, which is also Senior Night.

R-P opened the game with an 8-0 run and led 16-12 after one quarter. The Rockets had a 13-8 advantage in the second quarter and led 29-20 at halftime.

R-P outscored the Dux 19-16 in the third quarter - with two three-pointers apiece from Whitaker and Tayte Vanderleest - and led 48-36 heading into the fourth.

Travis Ambrose piled up 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for Reeths-Puffer. Antrel Jones snagged eight rebounds and was credited with playing great defense.