After dropping three of its last four games, the young Reeths-Puffer girls basketball team very much needed a victory and a confidence booster.
The Rockets got that on Tuesday when they overcame a rough first quarter, rallied to take the lead, then hung on for an exciting 37-35 victory over Byron Center in O-K Green conference action.
Two steals by R-P's Grace Tindall in the final minute ended up making the difference.
Tindall had a steal with about 25 seconds left and was fouled. She made one of two free throws to give the Rockets their final margin of victory.
Grace Tindall
She had another steal with five seconds left and went to the line again. She missed both shots, but Byron Center ran out of time and was not able to get the equalizer.
Reeths-Puffer improved to 3-8 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
Great defense was key for the Rockets, particularly in the second and third quarters, when they held BC to a combined 11 points, making it possible to get back in the game.
Ashlyn David
"We did a great job of mixing it up defensively," said R-P Coach Rodney Walker. "It was kind of hard for them to get the ball inside. We didn't give them a driving lane to the basket.
"It was the best defensive performance we've had this season. Everyone was involved. We were trying our best to limit them to one possession."
Byron Center led 13-7 after one quarter, but R-P returned the favor with a 13-7 advantage of its own in the second quarter, and the score was tied 20-20 at halftime.
The Rockets had an 8-4 edge in the third and led 28-24 heading into the fourth. 
Raquel Walker
R-P was outscored 11-9 in the final period, but was able to hold on in the end.
"We needed this win tonight to continue to boost the morale of the team," Coach Walker said. "Everybody was pretty happy when we left the locker room. Now we have to get back to practice and do what we need to do."
Ashlyn David had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets. Raquel Walker added 14 points and five rebounds.
Jaslynn Kops dished out four assists while David, Kops and Trinity Moore each had two steals.
The Rockets will visit Jenison on Friday in another conference matchup.