The Rockets, with the help of a stout man-to-man defense, topped the Bark River-Harris Broncos 47-33 in a Skyline Central Conference match-up.

“Defense is something you rely on every night,” said Rockets’ coach Rich Poma. “Some nights you’re cold from the floor. You can’t always count on your shots dropping, but If you’re willing to put in a little extra work (on defense), things will work out for you.

“When your defense is playing well, sometimes your opponent will get frustrated. Maybe you tighten up a little and start second-guessing your shots. I thought our guys did real well. Bark River-Harris has good chemistry and they move the ball around real well. They’re a good team. It’s fortunate for us they didn’t hit a lot of shots.”

The victory enabled the Rockets to improve to 3-0 overall and in the league.

Mike Mattson | Daily Press Rapid River’s Tony DeMars (24) makes a move to the basket as Bark River-Harris’ Mason Korhonen (25) defends in Monday night’s game.

BR-H, which was within 30-26 midway through the third quarter, is 1-1 on both counts.

A jump shot from top of the key by senior Logan Hardwick, however, started a 14-3 run for the Rockets in the third stanza. Their lead then grew to 44-29 advantage on a fast break layup by junior Nathan Olson early in the fourth.

“We didn’t make any shots,” said BR-H coach Jim VanEnkevort. “They were playing good defense, but we were ice cold, We couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean tonight.”

Rapid River, which also struggled at times from the floor, held a narrow 13-12 lead late in the first quarter.

Senior Lucas Sundling then drained a 22-foot set shot from the left wing and Hardwick sank a jumper from top of the key to put the Rockets up 19-12 after the opening frame.

BR-H got withiin 24-21 on short jumper from the left baseline by senior Bryson Groos.

Sophomore Tyler Sundling put the Rockets back up by five points on a seven-foot running jumper and a lay-in by Hardwick gave them a 28-21 halftime cushion.

Hardwick scored 16 points and Tyler and Lucas Sundling finished with 11 apiece for the Rockets, who hit 19-of-45 field goals and committed eight turnovers.

“Our guys handled the ball real well,” said Poma. “Anytime you stay in single digits in turnovers, you should be in position to win the game.”

Senior guard Matt Richer hit four 3-point shots for 12 points, including his final one which brought the Broncos within 30-26 in the third frame. They converted just 13-of-48 shots and had 10 miscues.

“It (the game) was physical,” said VanEnkevort. “They did a good job. They can cause a lot of problems with their size. They’re tough.”

BR-H, which won the jayvee game 36-26, visits Stephenson Friday. The Rockets go to Forest Park Thursday.

The summary:

Rapid River 19 9 12 7 — 47

Bark River-Harris 12 9 8 4 — 33

Rapid River — L. Sundling 11, Olson 2, T. Sundling 11, Hardwick 16, Willemsen 3, Orth 4. FT: 3-6; F: 9; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: LaCasse 2, Hardwick 2, T, Sundling, Willemsen.

Bark RIver-Harris — Mustafa 2, Arndt 9, Richer 12, Korhonen 2, Schultz 2, Groos 4, Heim 2. FT: 2-2; F: 13; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Richer 4, Arndt.

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