Todd Rose | Daily Press Rapid River’s Jaiden McCarty (11) extends mid-air for a shot as Mid Peninsula’s Bradly VanDamme (12) defends Monday night in St. Nicholas.

ST. NICHOLAS — Senior Reace Dawley and junior Kodey Goldi provided a potent one-two scoring punch for the Rapid River boys in a 60-40 basketball triumph over the Mid Peninsula Wolverines here Monday night.

Dawley scored 24 points, including seven late in the third quarter of this non-conference match-up. Goldi finished with 21.

The Rockets (2-1) also used their overall height and size advantage to pull away in the second half.

“We struggled doing that in the first half,” said Rockets’ coach Hayden Hardwick. “We adjusted a little in transition and our half-court game in the second half. This was a real good game for Reace. He was under control a majority of the time.”

The Wolverines (1-2) were within 25-24 after sophomore Caleb Lofquist split a pair of free throws early in the third quarter.

Rapid River then scored nine unanswered points, gaining a 34-24 lead on a fast break layup by senior Jaiden McCarty midway through the third.

Lofquist converted on a putback to trim Mid Pen’s deficit to 34-26 before the Rockets extended their advantage to 47-30 on a layup by Dawley with five minutes, 25 seconds left in the contest.

Mid Pen pulled within 47-36 on a pair of gifters by sophomore Brad VanDamme at 3:38 but was unable to get any closer.

A layup and free throw by junior Mike Englund gave the Wolverines a 13-10 lead with 48.3 seconds left in the opening frame.

The Wolverines still led 19-17 following a pair of gifters by junior Gabe Perry with 3:38 remaining in the second frame.

Rapid River surged to a 25-21 lead late in the second before two free throws by Lofquist shaved Mid Pen’s deficit to 25-23 with 26.1 seconds remaining.

Foul trouble hindered the Wolverines as two of their starters picked up their third foul less than halfway through the second quarter.

“We didn’t exactly execute as well as we could have,” said Mid Pen coach Mark Branstrom. “The fouls take their toll when you have only six guys playing and two on the bench. The kids have to understand we can’t afford to get into foul trouble like that.”

Englund and VanDamme hit 12 points apiece for the Wolverines, who hit 12-of-45 field goals and 15-of-25 free throws and committed 13 turnovers.

“We missed so many shots from the floor and free throws,” said Branstrom. “Dawley and Goldi were real good for them tonight, but the guys have to understand when we need to help on defense. I’m proud of the effort. Only, we can’t spend a lot of time on conditioning when we need to work on the little things. It’s coming. It’ll be all right.”

The Rockets were 24-of-56 from the field and 10-of-16 from the line and had 11 turnovers.

“I don’t think the scoreboard reflects what kind of team they have,” said Hardwick. “They’re a young team, but I think they’ll pull some upsets. Their top three guys got into foul trouble, which didn’t help them. Hats off to Mark. He keeps his kids motivated and playing hard.”

The Rockets visit Bark River-Harris Thursday. The Wolverines are idle until Jan. 5, when they host Hannahville.

Rapid River   10  15  16  19  —  60

Mid Peninsula   13  10  5  12  —  40

  Rapid River — Sundling 7, Dawley 24, McCarty 2, Lancour 3, S. Nelson 1, Goldi 21, Smith 2. FT: 10-16; F: 17; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Dawley, Lancour.

  Mid Peninsula — Lofquist 2, Syers 6, Englund 12, Richmond 6, VanDamme 12, Perry 2. FT: 15-25; F: 15; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goal: Englund.