Rockford weathers East Kentwood rally, wins in OT
By Dean Holzwarth / The Grand Rapids Press
KENTWOOD -- Rockford's Brogan Bibler did what seniors
are supposed to do in critical situations: He made game-changing
plays.
Bibler's driving layup, rebound and subsequent free throws in
the final 38 seconds of overtime were the difference in a 68-67
victory against East Kentwood on Tuesday night.
"That's what a senior does," Rams coach Steve Majerle
said after his team improved to 2-0 in the O-K Red Conference. "He
stepped up and made three big plays in that overtime, and that's
why he's one of our captains."
Bibler finished with a team-high 19 points, including 11 in the
first half. He earned early bragging rights over friends on the
opposing team.
"This is sweet," Bibler said. "We
knew they were going to be good, and I have a couple of buddies
on that team. We've been talking online, and we knew it was going
to be a big game. It was a fun atmosphere tonight."
Bibler and sophomore Ryan Majerle, who had 17 points, played key
roles in the extra session after the Falcons erased an 11-point
halftime lead.
The duo combined for 12 of the Rams' 13 points in overtime.
Bibler's two free throws with 18 seconds left gave the Rams a
four-point cushion, and it was needed after East Kentwood's John
Ford tossed in a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin of
victory.
"I told our kids that if you want to win an O-K Red championship,
then you have to win all of our home games and then win four or
five away games," Steve Majerle said.
"I think they are a really
good team, and I think they are one of the top teams in the conference,
so to come in here and steal one is a feather in our cap."
Rockford stormed out to a 40-29 halftime lead on 64 percent (16-25)
shooting. The Rams led by as many as 13 in the third quarter and
nine in the fourth before East Kentwood rallied.
The Falcons tightened their defense and did not allow a Rockford
field goal in the final 3:25 of regulation.
Christian Jessie knocked down a 3-pointer and Deonte Hurst made
a free throw to cap a 6-0 run that sent the game to overtime.
"With every comeback, that means you had to have had a letdown
somewhere and we weren't on our game (in the first half), and I
thought Rockford played great in the first half," East Kentwood
coach Jeff Anama said.
"That led to us revealing
our heart and our effort and our hustle, and I thought we revealed
that in the second half."
Ford led all scorers with 20 points. Jimmy Carroll added 13 for
the Falcons.
