They talk about trap games that can trip up good teams right before a very big game.
The Reeths-Puffer boys basketball team almost fell into such a trap on Tuesday.
After building an early lead, the Rockets struggled the rest of the way and barely managed to sneak past underdog Holland 67-64 at home on Tuesday.
It was a big falloff for R-P, which pounded the Dutch 62-30 earlier in the season.
The victory was the twelth in a row for Reeths-Puffer, which improved to 15-1 overall and 9-0 in O-K Green conference play. Holland is now 6-11 and 2-7.
R-P's Jaxson Whitaker drives past a Holland defender. Photo/Joe Lane
The Rockets, who lead the O-K Green, will have a very big conference rematch with second-place Muskegon on Friday after beating the Big Reds last week.
Reeths-Puffer jumped out to a 16-10 lead after one quarter, but was outscored 20-18 in the second and only led 34-30 at halftime.
The Rockets had a slim 15-13 edge in the third quarter to take a 49-43 lead, then held on as the Dutch outscored them 21-18 in the fourth.
Jaxson Whitaker helped R-P avoid a big upset by scoring 31 points and snagging six rebounds. Brayden Mitchelson added 16 points, four steals and three assists while Marvin Moore added 13 points, including four big free throws in the fourth quarter.
Antrel Jones dished out five assists for the Rockets.
