GRAND HAVEN – The Reeths-Puffer girls basketball team, which is rebuilding following the loss of a lot of seniors from last year’s championship team, has some things to figure out.
One thing the Rockets showed on Friday, however, is that they don’t quit easily, even when things are not going their way.
The Rockets fell to nonconference foe Grand Haven 55-32 on the road in their season opener Friday night, but R-P coach Rodney Walker was proud of the effort the team put forth for all four quarters, despite trailing most of the game.
R-P's Brooklyn Tornes dribbles past Grand Haven players. Photo/Joe Lane
“I’m happy with what I saw as far as effort, because they didn’t stop,” Walker said. “It’s going to take some time for us to build that team chemistry, and I think once that happens, we’ll be able to take off.”
The first quarter began on a positive note when Reeths-Puffer senior Brooklyn Tornes drilled a 3-pointer to give the Rockets an early 3-2 lead.
Tornes, who scored a team-high 16 points, is being counted on to lead the offense this season. She is also the point guard who distributes the ball and runs the offense, and Coach Walker was happy with what she did in that respect, as well.
“I think Brooklyn did an excellent job tonight moving the ball, just trying to find out who she can pass to and be confident in making those passes to open players to knock down shots, because we do have those shooters.
R-P's Chloe Brainard (3) gets ready to battle for a rebound. Photo/Joe Lane
“We’ve just got to do a little bit better job of not turning it over as much, and once we decrease the turnovers and be a little bit more productive offensively, we’ll be fine.”
R-P’s early lead was short-lived. Grand Haven’s Maddie Schopf answered with a three on the other end, and Grand Haven ended the first quarter on an 8-0 run.
Two free throws from Grand Haven's Mallory Woiteshelk started a 10-0 run for the Buccaneers to begin the second quarter, pushing the GH advantage to 20-3.
The Rockets’ first basket of the second quarter came on a Tornes triple at the 3:53 mark, and the Buccaneers carried a 23-7 lead into the half.
Torrnes drives toward the basket. Photo/Joe Lane
“They’re just big,” Walker said of Grand Haven. “As you can see, we don’t have much size, but I thought Ashlyn David did a great job. She’s a freshman and I thought she battled so hard tonight. I thought she did a great job of defending some of Grand Haven’s post players.”
The Buccaneers took control of the third quarter early, coming out of halftime with an 11-2 run.
While Grand Haven might’ve won the quarter, the Rockets didn’t stop fighting. With 40 seconds remaining, Tornes stole the ball and got an “and-one” layup to go down. While she missed the free throw, Irelyn Niklasch was there for the offensive board and got a layup.
Grand Haven answered with a layup on the other end, but Tornes drilled a three to end the quarter on a positive note, despite the Buccaneers owning a 41-23 lead.
“We didn’t have any quit,” Walker said. “As long as you give it your best effort, whether we win or lose, I can’t ask for more than that.”
Grand Haven outscored R-P 14-9 in the final frame.
The Rockets will host Spring Lake in their home opener at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
