MUSKEGON TWP. — Friday night was a chance for the Reeths-Puffer boys basketball team to celebrate a group of seniors playing their final game at Dan Beckeman Arena.
It was also an opportunity to build some important momentum for the Division 2 district tournament that begins on Monday.
The Rockets succeeded on both fronts, using strong defense to build a big lead after three quarters and claim a 65-53 win over Jenison on Senior Night.
Reeths-Puffer led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter, saw that lead shrink to as few as six points, but finished strong for a double-digit win. 
Senior standout Marvin Moore, playing his last home game. Photo/Daniel Dunn
The Rockets finished the regular season with a 6-16 overall record and a 4-6 mark in the O-K Green conference. Despite their struggles, they finished strong, with a 4-3 record over the last seven games.
Friday’s game was the last home contest for a group of six seniors — Marvin Moore, Zayden Schneider, Carson McCollum, Alex Kieft, Justin Chan and Callahan Millis.
The seniors filled the starting lineup - with the exception of Millis, who was out for the game - then came off the floor for the final time as a group in the fourth quarter.
“Those guys know their roles, they work hard,” Coach JR Wallace said about the seniors. “They’re about their business, taking care of things. It’s been a good experience.”
Moore, who became the school’s ninth 1,000-point scorer earlier this month, said winning the last game on his home court was a special moment. 
R-P's Hank Mitchelson takes a shot. Photo/Daniel Dunn
“It’s surreal,” Moore said. “It hasn’t really hit me yet that it’s my last time playing here. But just thinking back over the years, I’m extremely grateful for my teammates, my coaches, everyone who believed in me. It feels amazing to have that support.
“The last time in this building, in this arena, it’s amazing going out on a win.”
R-P built its lead Friday with strong defense, forcing more than 20 Jenison turnovers. Those helped keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard and led to baskets for the Rockets.
“It was huge, that’s a main focus for our whole team,” Moore said of the defensive intensity. “This whole year that’s always been our main focus, if we can shut down other teams we can win games. Defense will create the offense for us.”
R-P's Rodney Walker shoots over a defender. Photo/Daniel Dunn
Reeths-Puffer led 16-11 at the first buzzer, using a 9-3 run to close out the first. Moore led the way with eight points.
A 14-11 edge in the second quarter extended R-P’s lead to 30-22 at halftime. Hank Mitchelson made three three-pointers in the quarter to pace the Rockets.
Reeths-Puffer took control of the game in the third quarter with suffocating defense.
R-P outscored Jenison 17-5 in the third, including a 13-0 run in the final 5:41 that stretched the lead to 47-27. Rodney Walker scored nine points in the quarter, including a buzzer-beating three.
R-P scored first in the fourth, but Jenison then rattled off a 17-1 run to pull within 50-44. The Rockets got back on track in the final three minutes, making 9 of 10 free throws, to close out the win. 
R-P's Jamicheal Williams goes in for a layup. Photo/Daniel Dunn
Moore led R-P with 17 points and six rebounds. Walker scored 14 points and had four steals. Mitchelson scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds while Artis Williams scored nine points.
R-P now turns its attention to Monday’s Division 1 district tournament opener against rival Mona Shores at Muskegon High School at 5:30 p.m. The Sailors won both regular season meetings between the teams.
“The biggest thing is to build on this,” Wallace said about taking momentum from Friday’s game into Monday’s game. “Taking care of the ball, being able to knock down big shots. But then also having a little bit of swagger, with the confidence of knowing we can box out, run down rebounds and be able to play as a cohesive unit.”