MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP - Anyone who noticed that the Reeths-Puffer girls basketball team lost to Muskegon on Friday, and assumed that the Rockets may not be able to compete for another conference title this year, may have jumped the gun a bit.
The Rockets are still a talented team with three big scorers and more depth than some might have imagined, which they showed in a convincing 62-25 victory over Grand Rapids Union on Tuesday in an O-K Green conference tilt on their home court.
Reeths-Puffer improved to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play. GR Union fell to 4-3 and 0-2 in the Green.
After the game, R-P head coach Rodney Walker did not want to talk a lot about the conference race, insisting that his team has to take it one game at a time.
R-P's Ashlynn Anderson drives toward the basket. Photo/Joe Lane
But he also admitted that it was nice to bounce back with a big victory and said the win will help the team be more focused on the challenges ahead.
“Union was the opponent tonight, we were just focused on them, and everything else is in the past, although I did see some things in that (Muskegon) game that helped us adjust for this game,” Walker said.
“It’s always good to get a win. The attitude on the team is a little bit better and the kids are a little more coachable.”
The Rockets showed a lot of poise on offense, purposefully slowing down their attack to avoid the turnover problems they’ve had in recent weeks.
“We’ve been talking about slowing down offensively,” Walker said. “We said we were going to make 10 passes before our first shot, and they were disciplined enough to do that tonight.”
The Reeths-Puffer bench cheers the players on the court. Photo/Joe Lane
R-P also drove to the rim effectively, drawing countless fouls and trips to the free throw line, and had a decent night from three-point range.
The Rockets were 15 of 26 from the line, with 11 of those points coming from Sophia Hekkema, who sank 8 of 11 attempts. They also nailed five triples, with three coming from Ariel Walker.
R-P also demonstrated some offensive depth that hadn’t been as evident in past games.
Usually most of the Rockets’ points come from standouts Walker, Hekkema and Brooklynn Tornes, and those three led the way again. Hekkema totaled 13 points, Tornes had 12 and Walker finished with 11.
But some of their teammates found the hoop on Tuesday, as well, giving a hint of how good the team could be if a few more girls were consistently involved in the offense.
R-P's Ariel Walker looks for a pass. Photo/Joe Lane
Megan Barmes finished with nine points, Billie Tryska had six and Ashlynn Anderson scored four.
Overall 10 Rockets scored at least two points.
“Barmes is one of those players that we’ve been looking to have a breakout game,” Walker said. “When she gives us that fourth threat, we will be in great shape.
“We know everybody on the team can shoot. It’s just a matter of getting them to take and make those shots. Once that happens, we will be a very well-rounded team.”
Walker had seven points in the first quarter, including two triples, helping the Rockets take an 11-5 lead at the buzzer.
Brooklynn Tornes drives through two defenders for Reeths-Puffer. Photo/Joe Lane
Barmes got hot in the second quarter, scoring seven points, including a three-pointer, and Reeths-Puffer led 26-12 at halftime.
Tornes had six points in the third quarter, Hekkema and Walker each had four, and R-P was up 42-18 headed into the fourth.
Tornes had six more points in the final eight minutes, Hekkema had four and five other Rockets tossed in buckets to seal up the win.
Anderson grabbed eight rebounds for the Rockets while Walker and Irelyn Niklasch each snagged seven. Tornes and Hekkema each had three assists and three steals.
