The Reeths-Puffer boys basketball team is starting to win more games, and the last two victories have been really dramatic and fun.
Last week the Rockets came from way behind in the final minutes to beat Caledonia.
On Friday they continued that trend with a thrilling 65-60 overtime victory over Byron Center in another O-K Green conference matchup at R-P’s Dan Beckeman Arena.
Reeths-Puffer has now won three of its last five games. The Rockets are 5-15 overall on the season and 3-6 in conference play.
Rodney Walker
The latest win was a perfect example of how the Rockets, who rely on several inexperienced sophomores in their regular rotation, are rapidly maturing and developing.
Senior Marvin Moore again led the team with 22 points, but sophomores Rodney Walker and Artis Williams also played huge rules with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
The young guys came up big when it mattered the most. R-P secured the win by converting 8 of 11 free throw attempts in overtime, and Williams and Walker combined for seven of those points after Moore fouled out in OT.
“This was another hard-fought team win,” said R-P head coach JR Wallace. “Our sophomore guards stepped once Marvin Moore fouled out.”
The Rockets started out slowly and trailed 15-8 after one quarter.
Artis Williams
The game was more even in the second quarter, and R-P pulled within one point, 22-21, at halftime. Williams have seven points in the quarter.
The Rockets continued to battle and had a 36-34 edge after three quarters, then the game was tied 53-53 at the end of regulation, resulting in OT.
Walker led the way with six points in the third quarter. Moore exploded for 10 points in the fourth, with three triples and a free throw.
Reeths-Puffer had a 12-7 advantage in overtime, thanks to the timely free throw shooting, and walked away with the win.
Zayden Schneider and Hank Mitchelson were strong on the boards for R-P while Justin Chan played a great defensive game.