Defense fuels Rockford's opening-night win against GR Christian
By Jeff Chaney / The Grand Rapids Press

ROCKFORD -- It didn't take long for the Rockford boys basketball team to remember what has made the program successful in the past. The Rams got defensive.

After a first quarter in which Rockford played tentatively on the defensive end against visiting Grand Rapids Christian, the Rams picked up the pressure the final three quarters and cruised to a 62-44 victory over the Eagles in the season opener for both teams.

GR Christian shot well in opening quarter and led 16-15 after eight minutes. Rockford picked up its defense in the second quarter, contesting many of the Eagles' shots, and went on a 14-0 run midway through the second quarter to take a 33-22 halftime lead.

" They finally cooled off in the second quarter, and part of that was because we had hands in their faces," Rockford coach Steve Majerle said. "They scored six points in that second quarter, and that's more like it. And we had a lot of easy baskets in that second quarter off of our defense." Rams go on 14-0 run
Seven different Rams scored in the 14-0 run that gave Rockford a lead it would not relinquish.

" We played well in the first quarter and made some shots," GR Christian coach Tom VanderLaan said. "But they turned up the pressure on defense, and that is when they play well." In the first quarter, Rockford had five turnovers to GR Christian's one. The Eagles committed 10 turnovers in the remaining three quarters, while the Rams had just six.

Rockford also had a 35-27 rebounding edge. " It is a given that if you are a part of this program you need to play defense," Majerle said. "I don't think we shot the ball particularly well tonight, but I was still pleased with the score. We came in and we didn't shoot well, but we played good defense and fed off of that."

During the day Tuesday, there was a bomb threat at Grand Rapids Christian High School. The administration sent the entire school home midway through the day. But VanderLaan was not using the excuse of an unusual day for the final outcome.

" I don't think the bomb scare affected us," VanderLaan said. "I just think it was an issue that Rockford is a very talented team and that showed tonight." The Rams were led by seniors Kyle Mahoney and Nick Wendling and freshman Mitchell Briggs, each with eight points.

The Eagles were led by junior Bobby Ouwinga, who scored 11 points.