Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Rapid River coach Mitch Hall (left) and Tyler Sundling pose for a picture after their 76-66 win against Mid Peninsula Friday. Sundling scored 28 points to reach 1,000 for his career.

RAPID RIVER — It was a relief for Rapid River and Tyler Sundling when the senior point guard hit a significant milestone just a few minutes into the first quarter against Mid Peninsula Friday night. Sundling cracked the career 1,000-point barrier, scoring 28 points in total, on the way to leading the Rockets to a 76-66 Skyline Central Conference victory over the Wolverines.

“I knew I was close with three points (to go), and I just wanted to get it out of the way and focus on the game,” Sundling said. “I’m glad to get it at home.”

Sundling hit the milestone 3:17 into the first quarter on a mid-range jumper. Play was stopped as the audience applauded, and he was congratulated by both teams on his achievement.

“I know it was a big thing on his brain, and we knew Mid Pen was going to come after him,” Rockets coach Mitch Hall said. “He was able to get it done real quick and easy, and that was able to take some pressure off him for the rest of the game. It was nice to see Mid Pen’s team congratulate him as well.”

Sundling entered the game needing just three points to reach the mark after coming up just short in a 60-38 loss at Munising Tuesday.

“I was kind of in a slump I guess,” Sundling said. “I was just thinking about it too much, but tonight we came together for a good team win.”

The Wolverines (7-9, 4-9 SCC) kept pace with the Rockets (10-6, 9-5 SCC), trailing just 36-31 at halftime, but the Rockets finally found their rhythm in the third quarter after the excitement in the first.

“(Coach) Mark Branstrom does an awesome job with his guys,” Hall said. “They were prepared, they had a game plan and they executed it very well. It was really tough to get into our rhythm — they slowed the ball down quite a bit, but we made a few adjustments on defense.

“In the third quarter we just got on a bit of a roll, and we were able to put a gap in there of about 15 points. With time running out, they just couldn’t climb back in. But they played hard. You have to give them a lot of credit.”

Rapid River went on a 12-0 run early in the third quarter to take a 52-36 lead with 3:45 left. The Wolverines fought back with a barrage of triples, but they couldn’t stop the Rockets on the other end.

“They were getting out on the break, and we were turning the ball over,” Branstrom said. “We were making some terrible turnovers, and we weren’t getting back quick enough. I firmly believe (the turnovers cost us the game).”

Mid Pen closed within eight after a layup from Dylan Trudell with 31 seconds left to play, but it was too little, too late.

The Wolverines were led by Zach Englund with 27 points. Joe McNally finished with 13, and Mike Englund collected 11. Dylan Trudell chipped in 10. Max Lenaker added 23 for the Rockets.

“We had good scoring today,” Branstrom said. “We had four guys in double figures. Any (mistakes we made) can be fixed, and that’s a good thing. We’re going to do that, and hopefully be able to execute better.

“We have to understand that we have to go through them for the district (title). We can’t play like that, but we did some good things tonight. I’m proud of them.”

Rapid River, which won the JV game 49-21, hosts Norway Thursday. Mid Pen visits Stephenson Tuesday.

Mid Peninsula 15 16 19 16 — 66

Rapid River 17 19 29 11 — 76

Mid Peninsula — Z. Englund 27, McNally 13, M. Englund 11, Trudell 10, Temple 3, Lehtikangas 2. F: 18; Fouled out: Trudell. FT: 9-13; 3-point field goals: Z. Englund 2, McNally 2, M. Englund 2, Temple 1.

Rapid River — Sundling 28, Lenaker 23, Micheau 8, Moss 4, Dausey 4, Snay 3, Lundquist 3, Kudlick 1. F: 13; Fouled out: none; FT: 10-19; 3-point field goals: Lenaker 3, Sundling 2, Micheau 2, Lundquist 1.