New group of Rockets
Rapid River adjusts at halftime, clips BR-H
RAPID RIVER — A different Rapid River team came onto the floor after halftime, and this one played at a higher and more effective level.
The Rockets used a 20-5 third-quarter outburst to set the stage for a 55-41 conquest of Bark River-Harris in the Skyline Central Conference boys basketball game. The second half output enabled the Rockets to end a season-opening four-game losing streak.
“We pushed the ball well and found the open spots in transition,” Rapid River coach Rich Poma said of the turn-around quarter that gave the Rockets a 43-30 cushion.
A switch to a 1-2-2 zone also was a prime factor for the Rockets. “When you play good defense it can turn into good offense,” said Poma. “The zone was a big boost for us.”
BR-H coach Mark Zawacki agreed, adding “it took the kids a little while to settle down and do what we wanted to do (after the break). Our shooting went away too.”
The Broncos (3-2) led 25-23 at halftime, with both teams having a tough time finding the basket and missing numerous shots in the lane. Other than trailing 2-0, BR-H led the entire half. “We couldn’t seem to get over the hump and create a little more distance,” Zawacki said.
The Rockets did not waste much time showing they were a different team in the third quarrer. Tyler Sundling, who played a big role in the second half comeback, got inside BR-H’s 3-2 zone and scored 18 seconds in. Hunter Debelak sent the Broncos back ahead with two free throws, but BR-H would not score until sinking one free throw three minutes later and made its only field goal with 17 seconds left in the stanza when Nick Javurek scored from the right baseline.
Brayden Moss a 5-foot-4 junior guard, hit the first of his three second-half triples from the right corner to send the Rockets ahead for good with seven minutes left in the quarter. He had another trey four minutes later as Rapid River used an 18-1 flurry to take charge.
“The third quarter we came out flat. We did not get reversals as quick as we wanted and didn’t get settled with our shot,” said Zawacki.
Tony DeMars, a strong 6-4 junior center, had eight of his 14 points in that quarter by using a solid interior game to pound the Broncos. Sam Orth, a 6-2, 255-pound senior who was an All-U.P. player on the state championship football team, was also a force inside.
“They are a very tough match-up,” Zawacki said of the inside duo with Sundling (13 points) and Moss (11 points) outside. “They create some difficulties, to say the least. They have four-five solid ballplayers on the floor all the time.”
The Rockets flew ahead by 14 points early in the fourth quarter and were never threatened. “Rapid River is a good team. Their record is not indicative of who they are,” said Zawacki.
Poma said this performance could help propel the Rockets, who won the state football title Nov. 17 and postponed their opening two basketball games to make the transition from football.
“Our attitude and energy this game was a little different than the first three (games),” Poma said. “The third quarter was a much better team than we had been showing. It takes time to take care of all the little details.
“This should make our practices better and our chemistry better.”
Rapid River hit 22-of-55 field goals and DeMars and Sundling each had 10 rebounds, with DeMars also blocking several shots. BR-H nailed 16-of-59 shots.
The Rockets host Forest Park Thursday. BR-H, which won the jayvee game 57-48, visit Stephenson Friday.
BR-Harris 12 13 5 11 – 41
Rapid River 9 14 20 12 – 55
Bark River-Harris – DeGrave 6, Stenberg 4, Bower 7, Schmitt 2, Javurek 12, Zawacki 3, Debelak 7. FT: 7-12; F: 14; Fouled out: Stenberg; 3-point field goals – Javurek 2.
Rapid River – Sundling 13, Moss 11, Lundquist 4, Hernandez 3, Olson 5, Orth 5, DeMars 14. FT: 5-7; F: 12; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals – Sundling 2, Moss 3, Hernandez 1.