Rockford Rams 65, East Kentwood 53

Underdog Rockford snaps East Kentwood's nine-game win streak
By Jeff Chaney / The Grand Rapids Press

KENTWOOD -- The Rockford boys basketball team seems to be enjoying a role it's not familiar with.
The Rams, who always seem to be in contention for an O-K Red Conference title, find themselves in the bottom half of the league's standings this season. Rockford played the role of spoiler Friday night while playing at conference co-leader East Kentwood. The Rams defeated the Falcons, 65-53.

The loss halted the Falcons' nine-game winning streak. East Kentwood's last loss had been Dec. 20 to Rockford. " We are not used to being the spoiler -- we are used to being in the race until the end," Rams coach Steve Majerle said. "But now we need to make the best of our situation.

" Tonight was a very physical game, and I thought we stepped up to their athleticism." That was no more evident than under the boards. The Rams pounded the paint all night and outrebounded East Kentwood 39-18 for the game, and 18-4 in the first half. A strong presence under the boards and an efficient first-half offense in which Rockford shot 53 percent from the field allowed the Rams to build a 31-27 halftime lead. It was a lead Rockford would never relinquish.

" Tonight Rockford came in and played better," East Kentwood coach Jeff Anama said. "They played very unselfish. They were good on offense, they were good on defense -- they just played better." Still, East Kentwood fought to the end and kept the game within striking distance. An early fourth-quarter basket by Zach Hatchett cut the Rockford lead to eight points. The problem for the Falcons is that they never could get any closer in the final quarter because they shot 2-of-10 from the free-throw line during the game's final eight minutes.

" (Missing free throws) has not been the case for us the past few games," said Anama, whose team still stays atop the league standings thanks to Holland's win over Jenison Friday night. " Unfortunately, tonight it just wasn't there for us." The Falcons ended up making just 12-of-28 free throws for the game. Junior guard Bryan Pasciak led the Rams with a game-high 16 points.

In all, nine Rockford players scored. Hatchett paced the Falcons with 14 points. " Everyone in our locker room has confidence in ourselves," Pasciak said. "Tonight showed people what we can do."