RHS 65, Holland 56
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Rockford in driver's seat of O-K Red race
Saturday, February 02, 2002
By Greg Johnson
The Grand Rapids Press
Barring a collapse by what appears to be a rock-solid Rockford team, the O-K Red Conference race would appear to be a runaway.
The unbeaten Rams, ranked No. 4 in Class A, held off a second-half rally by Holland to win 65-56 at Rockford Friday night and take a three-game lead in the conference race with five games to play.
"They would have to collapse completely, and I don't see that happening," Holland coach Mark Werley said.
"That's a very good basketball team, and they still don't appear to have any weaknesses. They get solid guard play, they have shooters and their big people play very well inside. They really have all the weapons, and on top of it they are well-coached, they defend and they share the ball. Three-game lead with five to go. Hopefully, we'll get another chance to play them in the (state) tournament."
Holland, the only team just two games back starting the night, almost caught the Rams in Friday's game.
Almost.
After trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half, the Dutch scrambled and rallied to within six points by scoring the first seven points of the fourth quarter.
But the run stopped there as Rockford's sophomore point guard Michael Redell drove for a basket, and on the next trip penetrated and dished off to senior center and standout Derek Douglas for a basket and a 10-point lead.
Holland, meanwhile, had a gap of more than four minutes without a basket (four missed shots and a turnover).
"We had to hit the boards, and I had to demand finally that we get the ball inside," Rockford coach Steve Majerle said. "We hit the 3s in the first half, but they weren't going in the second half and Holland started hitting shots. We have to do a better job of recognizing that, and then going back inside. We can't forget about Derek in there. He's a pretty good player."
Douglas, a strongly built 6-5 center, finished with 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Rams. Drew Powell, a junior guard, had 14 points, senior forward Kyle Trewhella scored 10 and Redell ended up with eight to go with seven assists.
"Holland made a nice run at us, but we responded and we won," Majerle said. "We'll take it, and we'll take the three-game lead with five to go. I really thought it was a great team effort."
Holland was led by Ronald Ferguson, a 6-1 forward who scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. Michael Hall, the other forward, scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. And senior Jeff Carlson finished with 14 points.
Werley was proud that his team pulled within six points in the fourth quarter to make the Rams change the way they were playing.
"The problem is with them that you sort of pick your poison," he said. "You try to stop the 3s, then they get you with penetration on the dribble and (passes) to the big men. They are a very difficult team to beat, obviously."
Majerle said he doesn't expect his Rams to relax with a big lead in the conference.
"I think the kids have worked to hard to let that happen," he said. "They did the work all summer. They've done the work so far. These kids will keep working. That's what makes them a special group."