Rockford comes up with a vital
Ok Red road win
by Matt Mapes, West Michigan All-Star
In an old-school, slugfest of a basketball
game, the visiting Rockford Rams defeated OK-Red conference rival
Grand Haven Buccaneers 48-40 position themselves for a shot at the
conference title and effectively ending the Buc’s chances of
having their name etched on the trophy.
“It was not a fun game to watch, but we had just enough solid
play, and were able to grind it out,” Rockford head coach Steve
Majerle said. “They beat two really good teams this week (in
Muskegon and East Kentwood) and this was a really good win for us.”
The visiting Rams controlled the game from start to finish, jumping
out to a quick 15-8 first quarter lead on the legs of Junior center
Aaron Weston, who finished with eight points, all of which came in
the opening half. Weston was active on the offensive end with a consistent,
effective power moves near the rim and impressive on the defensive
end with his physical play.
“It is not their style to be able to play catch up, we jumped
out to a big lead and were able to get them out of their comfort
zone,” Steve Majerle said. “The last time we played
them we got up early and then tried to go up and down the court,
turned the ball over and let them get back in the ball game; this
time we were much more under control.”
A battle raged down low for most of the contest between Weston and
Grand Haven senior forward Marshall Rusco. Although Rusco finished
with eight points and six boards, Weston was physical and cagey on
the defensive end, using his lower body strength to deny Rusco any
position near the basket. The frustration showed in Rusco’s
body language, but he played hard and was able to be a catalyst for
other positive plays.
In the backcourt, a scoring duel between Rockford senior forward
Ryan Majerle and Grand Haven guard Alex Eidson erupted after halftime.
Majele was icy early, missing many of his first half shots, but in
the second half seemed to dedicate himself to taking the ball into
the paint, finishing with a game high 18 points and three assists.
“He had some good looks and missed them early,” Steve
Majerle said. “But he is versatile: he can go inside, outside,
get some foul calls, which is what makes him so effective — he
is not great at any one thing, he can be good at a lot of things.”
Eidson was similarly cold, but was able to make up the difference
at the free throw line to notch nine points before the first half
ended. Due to the active Rockford defense, Eidson took many contest
shots, but he was able to hammer some home and finish with sixteen
points.
Both teams’ leading scorers were also matched up on the defensive
end, with Majerle and Eidson both players focused and aggressive
on the defensive end. The back and forth was great drama, as the
crowd could only make out pieces of the chatter after each made basket
between the two team leaders.
Coming off of two recent quality wins, the Bucs seemed sluggish
from the opening tip. Rockford jumped out to a quick seven point
lead and the Bucs never go within five the rest of the contest.
“I thought we were really flat, and obviously Rockford had
something to do with that. They defended us really well and they
were more physical than we were, and we let them,” Grand Haven
head coach Steve Hewitt said. “We were at home, on our court,
and we didn’t play with a lot of pride, which is what is most
disappointing."
