FH Central surprises Rockford, wins first district since 1978
Sunday, March 10, 2002
By Jane Bos
The Grand Rapids Press

After a stunning upset of Rockford, the only unbeaten Class A team in the state before Saturday night, Forest Hills Central coach Ken George admitted his Rangers "took his breath away."

But not because of the 55-40 district championship victory at Greenville. It was the post-game water dousing in the locker room.

"They took me by surprise," George said, "and it was real cold."

Nothing cold about the way the Rangers played Saturday, other than the fact that their stingy, arm-waving defense iced the normally hot Rams.

The victory sends Forest Hills Central (20-2) into its first regional since 1978. The Rangers take on Holland (16-7), a 64-49 winner over Creston Saturday, in a 6 p.m. regional semifinal on Friday at Traverse City West High School. The final is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.

Rockford, ranked third in the state, ends its season 22-1.

Forest Hills Central had been on a seven-game losing streak to Rockford, which has played in the last six district championship games, including a 61-56 loss to the Rams in the season opener.

"I thought my guys played like they believed," said eight-year FHC George, who coached in his first district championship game. "Every year we faced Rockford in districts, and deep down, they thought they were trouble for us. We knew they were good this year, really good, but I could just tell that they believed tonight."

Defending district champ Rockford averaged over 70 points per game this season. Until Saturday, the Rams lowest scoring output of the season was their 61 points against Forest Hills Central.

"We thought that the first game of the season slipped away from us, and we wanted to play them again," said FHC senior Kevin Murphy, who is going to the University of Michigan on a full-ride football scholarship and suffered from the flu during the two team's first showdown. "We've always doubted, deep down, that we could beat Rockford. There was no doubt this year.

"We don't want to stop playing basketball yet."

It showed.

Saturday, Rockford made a dismal 16 of 50 field goals, including a 2-for-14 showing from 3-point land. The Rams also connected on 6 of 16 free throws.

Forest Hills Central, which made 22 of 35 shots, has given up an average of 45 points-per-game this season.

"We would like a do-over," said Rockford coach Steve Majerle. "Best two of three? They deserve this one tonight. Forest Hills took us out of everything we do offensively. They played their guts out on defense. We didn't get any looks. We were taking bad shots, they were forcing us to take bad shots."

Leading 22-18 midway through the second quarter, Forest Hills Central went on a 9-0 run during an eight-minute stretch that spanned the second and third quarters. Rockford missed six consecutive shots during that time and never recovered.

The Rangers led 16-12 after the first quarter, 27-18 at halftime and 38-24 entering the fourth quarter.

The two big men inside -- 6-9 junior Kyle Visser and 6-6 Murphy -- led the Rangers. Visser totaled 14 points and six rebounds, while Murphy scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

James Telman and Curt Ludtke added eight points each for Forest Hills Central, which missed all nine of its 3-point attempts.

"This is the first game since I've been coaching that we did not have a 3," George said. "That's 176 games. Isn't it funny that in the biggest game, the best win, that happens?"

Rockford was led by senior Derek Douglas with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Kyle Trewhella added nine points.

back to top