MUSKEGON TWP. - It's probably hard for Reeths-Puffer lacrosse fans to imagine a game that doesn't include the Wright brothers.
The twins have been key players for the Rockets since becoming starters two years ago as sophomores. Both played very big roles last season, when R-P soared to a very fun 11-4 record.
It will definitely be odd for Gavin and Ian Wright to go a full year without playing lacrosse together. Ian played for one season without his brother back in grade school, then recruited Gavin to join, and they've been teammates every spring for seven years. 
R-P's twin lacrosse standouts, Ian (1) and Gavin Wright.
They've also been teammates every fall in the R-P soccer program, making their bond even deeper.
But now they're about to head in very different directions, because they are unique individuals with different priorities.
Ian Wright, a versatile midfielder who can score and play great defense, is the super-competitive athlete who has lacrosse in his blood. Next year he will play at Aquinas College, and will probably have the same diverse "swiss army knife" role that has made him so valuable at Reeths-Puffer.
"When I was younger, I really wanted to play college soccer, but once I started playing lacrosse, that's been my first love," he said.
Ian Wright gets ready to pass to a teammate. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Gavin Wright, an excellent goalkeeper, could play college lacrosse as well, but has chosen a different route. As the top scholar of the family - and the salutatorian of R-P's Class of 2025 - he has decided to leave competitive sports behind and concentrate on his studies at Western Michigan University.
"He's really competitive, but I am here more for fun," said Gavin, who will study aerospace and mechanical engineering in college. "He spells the word fun w-i-n. I have never felt like I had the drive to play at the next level, or put in the kind of extra time that he does. I have interests outside of sports."
Reeths-Puffer's home game on Wednesday against Coopersville could be their last game together.
It's a regional play-in game, and the Rockets, like all teams in the state tournament, will have to win, and then keep winning, to keep their season alive.
Gavin Wright attempts to clear the ball from the R-P zone. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Whatever happens, that final game is coming sometime soon for the Wrights..
"It's going to be hard," Ian said about ending his long lacrosse run with his twin.. "He's always been someone I could rely on. I don't think it's really set in for me yet, but by the time Wednesday comes, I will be feeling it, and I'll be pumped up and ready to go."
Gavin understands that a unique life experience is about to come to an end.
"Sometimes you get two brothers playing the same sport, but they're not always on the same team year after year, and they're usually not twins," he said. 
Ian Wright passes the ball as an opponent closes in. Photo/Jeremy Clark
"It's been a lot of fun. Sometimes on the car rides home I will be shouting at him or he will be shouting at me. But there's a reason I am throwing him the ball all the time on the field, and it's because I trust him and he trusts me. I think a lot of our relationship is based on what we do together in sports."
Does that mean Ian can count on seeing his brother in the bleachers, cheering for him at Aquinas games?
"Maybe if he's lucky, he'll be blessed with my presence," Gavin said with a grin.
Bright spots in a tough rebuilding season
As good as they are, these modern-day Wright brothers have not been able to help this year's R-P squad get very far off the ground.
That would have been a tall order for any two players, considering the Rockets graduated a lot of talent from last season's great team, and started with a lot of inexperienced replacements this spring.
But there have been bright spots in R-P's 3-13 campaign, and many of them have involved the Wright twins.
Last Thursday was a good example, when the Rockets rallied to beat Grand Rapids Christian 9-8 for their third win of the season.
Gavin Wright makes a stick save. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Ian Wright exploded for four goals and two assists, while Gavin Wright played superbly in goal, recording 12 saves.
Ian also played a very big role when the Rockets won their second game of the season, 10-9 in a comeback win over Northview last month. He had three goals and two assists, and scored the game-tying goal as the clock ran down.
Performances like those have brought some much-needed positive energy to the season.
"They've both just been great guys to have in our program, and they have been for years," said R-P head coach Josh Robidoux. "We really needed both of them to step up this year. On the days when we won or made things happen, they have been pretty essential.'
Ian Wright scoops up the ball while fighting off an opponent. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Their final season of varsity has brought new challenges for both Wrights.
Last year, Ian earned All-Conference honors as a long-stick midfielder with mostly defensive responsibilities. He became an expert at helping the Rockets clear the ball from their zone and transition to offense, an important job in lacrosse.
But his role changed this season, because the Rockets needed more scoring. He became a midfielder with more of an offensive role, and he's responded well, totaling 18 goals, which is second on the team this season.
"I really don't have a preference," Ian said. "I probably like playing defense more, but it is fun scoring goals."
Gavin Wright is skipping college sports to focus on his studies. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Gavin's goaltending job has been more difficult this year, because the defenders playing in front of him started the season with an overall lack of experience. That means he's been blitzed with even more shots than usual, in an already high-scoring sport.
Opponents have scored more goals, leading to a lot of R-P losses, but Gavin has continued to battle and excel as much as possible.
He's held opponents under 10 goals in four games this year with a lot of breathtaking saves.
"He is a mentally tough player," Coach Robidoux said about his goalie. "It's been hard in some of these games, when the play is pretty nonstop in our defensive zone. He's seen a lot of shots this year, but he's held up really well."
Ian Wright will continue his lacrosse career at Aquinas College. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Gavin said it's a point of pride to work hard for a win every game, even if that frequently doesn't happen.
"It's a rebuilding year, but we still want to compete," he said. "We have friends on the team and we have to put our best foot forward."
Ian looks at the current season like an investment in the future of R-P lacrosse. With a lot of players coming back next season, the Rockets are bound to be better, and the Wright brothers are helping to prepare them for more success.
"Just trying to help build up the freshmen," Ian said. "We're helping them prepare for future years, when they will be a better team. Since the beginning of this year, this team has already grown so much."