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."