RAPID RIVER — The Rapid River girls’ basketball team used a fast start to come out ahead of the Superior Central Cougars 54-33 here Friday in Skyline Central Conference action.

The Rockets (3-1, 3-1 SCC) jumped out to a 21-4 lead in the first quarter on the back of three triples from Kristin Goodacre and six points from Natalie Belanger.

“We started out pretty strong,” Rockets’ coach Scott Goodacre said. “We faded a bit in the second quarter, but it was another strong game from Natalie and Kristin. Cecilia Pilon also broke into double digits.”

The Rockets, however, floundered in the second against a renewed Cougars’ offense that put up 17 points.

“It was a transition game (in the second),” coach Goodacre said. “They were just beating us down there for a better shot.”

The Rockets recovered in the second half and held the Cougars (0-3) to a total of 12 points for the remainder of the game.

“We held them through the third and fourth there,” coach Goodacre said. “In the fourth quarter, we picked it up again to give us a little surge.”

Belanger led the Rockets with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Pilon added 12 points and went 4-for-4 from the line, while Goodacre notched 11.

The Cougars were led by Emma Rutter with 11 points.

Superior Central, which won the jayvee game 39-16, visits Carney-Nadeau Tuesday.

Rapid River hosts Bark River-Harris Thursday.

Superior Central 4 17 7 5 — 33

Rapid River 21 10 8 15 — 54

Superior Central — Rutter 11, Tyner 7, Johnson 6, Walters 6, Charlebois 3. FT: 7-19; F: 20; Fouled out: Charlebois.

Rapid River — Belanger 24, Pilon 12, K. Goodacre 11, Q. Spriks 3, E. Goodacre 2, Poore 2. FT: 7-19; F: 19; Fouled out: None. 3-point field goals: K. Goodacre 3.