MUSKEGON TWP. - Reeths-Puffer basketball fans got a longer glimpse of the future of the boys team on Saturday afternoon, and it looks pretty promising.
For the first time this season, three talented but very green R-P sophomores who are playing under the “fifth quarter” rule (meaning they can play a full game with the junior varsity, then one quarter with the varsity) got to play a full varsity game.
There was no JV game on Saturday, so their participation was unlimited.
Several of them displayed some real offensive abilities, particularly in the first half, which helped keep the Rockets very much in the game against the visiting Marquette squad from the Upper Peninsula.
R-P's Artis Williams (1) takes a jump shot. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Unfortunately the Rockets, playing for the second straight day, cooled off in the second half and ended up falling 72-54 on their home court. Reeths-Puffer is now 1-3 on the season.
Despite the loss, R-P fans have every reason to be intrigued by the potential of the three part-time sophomores - Rodney Walker (pictured at top), Artis Williams and Jamichael Williams. They and fellow sophomore Hank Mitchelson, who is already a full-time varsity starter, will form the backbone of the team over the next two seasons.
Two of them had breakout games of sorts. Artis Williams scored 11 points while Walker, the son of R-P girls basketball coach Rodney Walker, added 10.
R-P's Justin Chan dribbles toward the basket. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Williams and Walker provided what the Rockets have been sorely needing – some scoring from someone besides senior standout Marvin Moore, who can’t do it all by himself.
They became the first Rockets other than Moore to score in double figures in four games this season. Moore again led the team on Saturday with 24 points, including four three-pointers.
“That’s the fun part about it, and it was a very good sign,” R-P head coach JR Wallace said about the way the sophomores played.
For anyone eager to see a lot more of the youngsters, however, they’re going to have to wait. The reality is that the three part-time sophomores will remain in that role indefinitely, according to Wallace.
R-P's Hank Mitchelson launches a three-point attempt. Photo/Jeremy Clark
As tempting as it might be to call them up for full-time duty and add some immediate offensive spark, the coach is determined to bring them along slowly and give them every chance to fully develop before joining the big team.
“It’s just about making sure this was not a flash in the pan,” Wallace said. “We want to make sure this is something that stays when they get to varsity. We are trying to slow cook them, making sure they have the proper maturation process, so they can carry the load when they are juniors and seniors."
Chan shoots as he loses balance. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The Rockets leaned heavily on Moore, Williams and Walker in a good first half.
Moore and Walker scored six and five points, respectively, in the first quarter, allowing R-P to keep pace with Marquette and only trail 21-17 headed into the second.
Moore scored eight points in the second quarter, Williams added five and Walker had three, and Marquette went to halftime with a thin two-point lead, 34-32.
Moore got very hot in the middle of the quarter, hitting two triples and one layup in just over a minute, giving the Rockets a 32-27 lead, their biggest of the game. Marquette regained the edge over the last three minutes of the half.
R-P's Zayden Schneider (5) tries to work his way out of a trap. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The visiting Sentinels took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Rockets 24-14, and led 58-46 heading into the fourth.
Marquette had a 14-8 advantage in the final eight minutes to claim the victory.
The Rockets struggled on the boards against the taller Sentinels, particularly on the defensive end, allowing the visitors a lot of second and third shots that fell for baskets.
Reeths-Puffer will return to action on Tuesday at home against Sparta.