At first glance, some Reeths-Puffer fans might have assumed that the Rockets would have a good chance to win against Whitehall in a non-conference game on Tuesday.
After all, the Vikings are from a smaller school and generally play a less challenging schedule than R-P.
But Whitehall is really good again this year, just like it was last season, as the Rockets found out in a 66-43 loss at home.
Reeths-Puffer fell to 2-6 while the Vikings improved to 8-2.
Whitehall led 20-16 after one quarter, then had a 33-21 lead at halftime after outscoring the Rockets 13-5 in the second.
R-P's Marvin Moore, who led the Rockets with 18 points.
The teams each had 15 points in the third quarter, leaving the score 48-36 heading into the fourth.
Whitehall blew open its lead down the stretch, outscoring R-P 18-7 in the final quarter.
Marvin Moore led Reeths-Puffer with 18 points, three rebounds and four steals. Brayden Mitchelson had 10 points, four rebounds, four steals and one assist while Elliot Schneider added six points and a team-high eight rebounds.
"We fought hard the first half, but didn't move the ball well against their zone defense," said R-P Coach JR Wallace. "Marvin tried to get us going with his defense and scoring but we couldn't rally around him tonight."
The Rockets will visit rival Mona Shores in an O-K Green conference game on Friday.