Rockford eyes perfect season
Saturday, February 23, 2002
By Brian Vanochten
The Grand Rapids Press

Steve Majerle lowered his voice just a bit.

The Rockford High School boys basketball coach stood in the hallway leading from the locker room and looked around before speaking about the possibility of perfection.

"It's unspoken," Majerle said of the Rams' pursuit of an undefeated season. "We all know it's there."

Their mission is nearly accomplished.

Rockford pulled away from Grand Haven in the second half Friday night for an impressive 68-46 victory. The win was the 14th straight for the Rams on their home court.

The Rams, ranked fourth in the latest Class A poll, ran their spotless record to 19-0 overall and 13-0 in the O-K Red Conference. All that stands between them and perfection is Friday's regular-season finale at home against Mona Shores.

"We know this team could really do something (special)," said senior center Derek Douglas, who scored a game-high 20 points and blocked three shots against Grand Haven. "We just don't want it to come to an end yet."

The Rams could be the second straight O-K Red team to go undefeated in the regular season. Holland High School finished a perfect 20-0 last year.

"We all know what Holland did," Majerle said. "We're so close now and we want to finish it out undefeated."

The Rams' defensive effort Friday was a blueprint for perfection.

After leading 30-24 at halftime, Rockford smothered the Buccaneers throughout the third quarter, limiting them to just five points.

Grand Haven didn't get on the scoreboard in the second half until there were just 49.6 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

The Rams opened the second half with a surprising zone defense instead of man-to-man pressure. They forced the Bucs into seven missed shots and seven turnovers before finally allowing the first points of the period.

"We lost our focus," Grand Haven coach Craig Taylor said. "You make a mistake against them and they make you pay. They're a very talented ballclub. They're big, they're physical and they're aggressive."

Michael Redell, a sophomore point guard, had 12 points for the Rams.

The 6-foot-5 Douglas is complemented up front by his brother, 6-6 junior R.C. Douglas, who finished with nine points, and skilled role players like 6-7 junior Alex Briggs and 6-6 junior Andy Ruddick.

Taylor said the Rams could be a force in the state tournament.

"It's rare, especially in the O-K Red," Taylor said of completing an undefeated regular season. "It's a fantastic feat. It's hard, it's a bear, and as you go the pressure just builds."

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