HUDSONVILLE - Reeths-Puffer basketball standout Brooklynn Tornes achieved a milestone on Tuesday that few in program history have reached during a hard-fought 57-49 loss against Hudsonville.
The senior guard scored her 1,000th career point. Tornes is just the fourth 1,000-point scorer in R-P girls basketball history, joining Lauren Ross, Sophia Hekkema and Ariel Walker (the latter two reached it last year).
Tornes reached 1,000 on a drive to the basket with 3:10 to play in the second quarter, finishing through contact for a layup.
She was then surrounded by her teammates, shared a hug with Coach Rodney Walker and was congratulated by Hudsonville’s team, as well.
R-P's Brooklynn Tornes
“It feels really good - I’m just trying to live in the moment,” Tornes said. “It feels good feeling all the love and support. I’ve been with these girls for a minute now and I love sharing this moment with them.”
R-P Coach Rodney Walker said Tornes has put in the work throughout her career, and it paid off Tuesday.
“All summer she put in the work training, above and beyond, trying to become the player that she is,” Walker said. “She’s a gym rat, she comes in early, she stays after late. Hard work always pays off and you can see the fruits of her labor in regard to what she’s been able to do.
“I’m so happy to see her transition into the player that she’s become this year.”
Tornes with Coach Rodney Walker after she reached 1,000 points.
The game was a back-and-forth battle throughout. Reeths-Puffer rallied to start the fourth quarter, taking a two-point lead with 2:45 to play, but Hudsonville closed strong to claim the win.
“They showed grit,” Walker said of his team’s performance. “I thought we played a lot together. Offensively we did a great job, I thought we were disciplined. Defensively we were sound tonight with our man-to-man.”
Despite the loss, Walker is feeling good about his team heading into district play next week. The Rockets have won four of their last six games.
“We proved and showed that we can play tonight,” Walker said. “I think we’ve transitioned to be a very good defensive team, here down the stretch. I think we’re ready for Monday with this performance we had tonight against Hudsonville, a very good, disciplined program. We showed a lot tonight.”
Tornes brings the ball up the court.
Reeths-Puffer, which finished the regular season 9-12 overall, will face Muskegon (16-5) at Rockford High School on Monday in a Division 1 district quarterfinal. The Big Reds won both regular season matchups between the teams.
“My big goal is winning districts and so on,” Tornes said. “Yeah, (1,000 points) does mean something to me, but we’ve got bigger things to worry about.”
Hudsonville led 9-6 after one quarter. That lead grew to as many as nine points in the second quarter before R-P came back to tie the game at 27-27 at halftime.
The teams traded baskets early in the third, but the Eagles closed with a 7-2 run to lead 45-40 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Rockets talk on the bench during a time out.
Reeths-Puffer’s defense dominated the first five minutes of the fourth, holding the Eagles scoreless. The Rockets went on a 7-0 run to lead 47-45 with 2:45 to play.
Hudsonville found its rhythm in the final minutes, however, closing the game on a 12-2 run to come away with the win.
Tornes led Reeths-Puffer with 18 points, followed by Megan Barmes with nine points (all coming on a trio of second-quarter three-pointers).
Irelyn Niklasch scored seven points while Jenna Terpstra and Ashlyn David had six each.
Josie DeSmit led Hudsonville with 19 points, followed by Ryan Vanderbeek with 13.
