MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP -– In a night full of celebration, it was only fitting that the Reeths-Puffer boys basketball team capped off the evening with a 54-45 home victory over rival Mona Shores.
The night was centered around junior guard Jaxson Whitaker and his pursuit of the Reeths-Puffer career three-point record.
Whitaker entered the game just one triple behind former Rocket Kaleb Mitchelson, who was in attendance to witness the moment.
Whitaker tied the record with his first triple of the night with 2:35 remaining in the second quarter. Just two possessions later, he pulled up and sank a three-pointer to put himself all alone in the record book with 144 threes.
Jaxson Whitaker receives a hug after setting the new 3-point record. Photo/Tonya Pardon
“It means a lot,” Whitaker said. “It shows how much work I’ve put in and it’s paying off. The first one just went in, and I knew the second one was going in.”
Whitaker finished the night with four threes and now has 146 in his career.
“It’s a lot of hours that go into it,” said R-P coach Nate Aardema about his junior guard, who still has one more season to continue to distance himself in the record book. “He’s doing the work when nobody is around. It’s all the extra stuff he does, and he has a bunch more time to go. He’s a special player and a great shooter.”
While Whitaker’s record stole the spotlight, it was also Senior Night at R-P, and the Rockets’ starting lineup was comprised of five seniors.
Whitaker (5) goes high for a rebound. Photo/Tonya Pardon
Those veterans ran out to a 12-5 lead with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter before the typical starting lineup took the floor.
Reeths-Puffer held a 17-5 lead after one quarter behind eight points from senior Kyle Schlaff.
The Rockets extended the lead to 35-14 at halftime behind nine points from Whitaker.
Reeths-Puffer outscored Mona Shores 11-10 in the third quarter to pull ahead 46-25. Schlaff paced the Rockets with five points in the third.
The fourth quarter involved extended bench minutes for the Rockets as they cruised to the victory.
R-P's Kyle Schlaff battles past a Mona Shores defender. Photo/Tonya Pardon
“Our five seniors started and set the tone early,” Aardema said. “It was fun to see. We talked about them going out and playing loose. They certainly did that.”
Whitaker led the Rockets with 14 points while Schlaff finished with 13.
Reeths-Puffer, which has now won four games in a row, improved to 11-8 overall and 8-5 in O-K Green conference play.
“I told the guys we’re starting to play toward our expectation,” Coach Aardema said about the winning streak. “We’re just coming out and playing hard every single possession. It was a good night.”
