NORTON SHORES - Tough defense has been a trademark for the Reeths-Puffer girls basketball team all season, and it played a major role on Tuesday when the Rockets posted a very big win.
The Rockets’ disruptive zone defense, along with a big scoring night from sophomore Raquel Walker, propelled R-P to a huge 55-32 victory over rival Mona Shores in an O-K Green conference battle on the Sailors’ home court.
The win broke a rough spell for the Rockets, who had lost three games in a row and seven of their last eight. It also avenged a tough four-point loss to Mona Shores back in January.
R-P's Raquel Walker drives in for a layup. Photo/Nick Fuller
The outcome had a lot to do with Reeths-Puffer’s ability to keep the Sailors from executing their offense. The Rockets forced Mona Shores into double-digit turnovers in the first half, and limited the Sailors to just four field goals before halftime.
That flipped the script from January’s meeting, when the Sailors jumped out to a 14-point halftime lead, and gave the Rockets the momentum they needed to complete the victory.
The win moves Reeths-Puffer to 7-9 overall on the season and 2-6 in conference play.
R-P head coach Rodney Walker noted the progress his team has made, specifically on the defensive end.
R-P's Grace Tindall lets a shot fly. Photo/Nick Fuller
“I'm just continuing to just focus on, you know, them understanding that they're young, and we're still building, it's a process to get there,” Walker said. “So I've been trying to make sure that we keep it positive, even throughout the losses, just to make sure that the girls understand that we are a very good team, and I know that we're an excellent team defensively.”
Reeths-Puffer seized control from the opening tip.
Raquel Walker scored the first bucket and ignited an 8-0 run in the first three minutes. The Rockets forced four turnovers in that span, holding Mona Shores scoreless for more than four minutes before a free throw made it 8-1.
The Rockets discuss strategy during a time out. Photo/Nick Fuller
A late putback and 3-pointer from Grace Tindall helped the Rockets close the quarter with a 14-5 lead, with Walker pouring in seven points.
The Rockets kept it up in the second quarter, opening with a three-pointer from Abrianna Do to extend the lead to 17-5. Walker attacked the rim repeatedly, drawing fouls and adding points at the line, while Ashlyn David converted key free-throws to maintain separation.
Reeths-Puffer outscored the Sailors 11-8 in the quarter and took a 25-13 lead into halftime.
The Rockets delivered the decisive blow in the third quarter, outscoring Mona Shores 17-8 behind transition baskets and second-chance buckets.
R-P's Abrianna Do moves the ball up the court. Photo/Nick Fuller
Walker dominated the stretch, scoring through contact for an “and-one’ layup and knocking down free-throws to help push the lead to 42-21 entering the fourth quarter. She finished with nine points in the third.
R-P closed out the win with a 13-11 edge in the final quarter, with David scoring six points.
“It’s a crosstown rivalry,” Coach Walker said. “When you’re playing Mona Shores, it’s always a great environment to play in, and I thought our girls did a great job of understanding what was on the line tonight.”
Walker led all scorers with 21 points and had 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. David added 18 points with six rebounds and three steals while Tindall scored nine points with three triples.