R-P basketball player

The Reeths-Puffer boys basketball team bagged its fifth straight victory and wrapped up its O-K Green conference season in style on Friday with a 52-36 home victory over Holland.

The Rockets took control in the first quarter with a 17-7 advantage. They had a one-point edge in both the second and third quarters then outscored the Dutch 15-11 in the fourth.

R-P improved to 12-8 overall and finished the conference season with a 9-5 mark.

Junior Travis Ambrose had a huge night for the Rockets with 22 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and three assists. Jaxson Whitaker added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

R-P's Jaxson Whitaker. Photo/Joe Lane

All the Rockets played really solid defense, according to R-P head coach Nate Aardema.

“Our defense carried us tonight,” he said. “Everyone did a good job focusing on their assignment and competing on both ends. Holland played patiently on offense and played hard throughout the game.

“It was a great night honoring veterans at Reeths-Puffer and there was a great atmosphere, with a large crowd there for our girls team, watching them wrap up the O-K Green championship.”

Reeths-Puffer will finish the regular season with two non-conference road games next week, against Rockford on Tuesday and Hudsonville on Thursday.