PARK TWP. — The Reeths-Puffer girls basketball team learned a lesson about playing hard on Tuesday night, regardless of the opponent.
The Rockets came out of the gates slow against a West Ottawa team that entered the night with a 1-11 record, but showed up ready to play.
The Panthers raced out to a 23-point halftime lead and went on to beat the Rockets 46-32 in non-conference action.
The loss snapped R-P's two-game winning streak.
Reeths-Puffer's Bri Do looks for an open teammate. Photo/Mitchell Boatman
R-P Coach Rodney Walker said he felt like his players came in with a mindset that the game was won, based on team records and results against common opponents.
“I felt like we came out like we won the game before we played,” Walker said. “We found ourselves in a hole that we had to dig out of.
“It’s a lesson for some of our girls that they have to start the game with energy. If you don’t match energy, you’re not going to be able to be competitive.”
There was a bright spot for the Rockets late in the game. After West Ottawa made the score 41-16 with 5:10 to play, R-P found a spark. 
Reeths-Puffer's Raquel Walker (22) and Savannah Lockwood (1) play defense against West Ottawa. Photo/Mitchell Boatman
With some more intense defense leading to steals and easier shot attempts, the Rockets rattled off a 14-0 run to pull within 11 points.
The run didn’t change the outcome, but it did show the difference energy can make.
“I was trying to get them to understand, if we play four quarters like we played the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, the game is different,” Coach Walker said. “That’s what I was impressed with, the fact that they didn’t give up and they kept listening to the messages. I thought the second half was played with much more energy versus the first half.
Ashlyn David works to secure a loose ball for Reeths-Puffer. Photo/Mitchell Boatman
“Tonight’s game was a huge lesson and hopefully it gives us an opportunity to go make adjustments and start the game Friday like we just finished that game."
West Ottawa started the game on a 6-0 run, holding R-P without a field goal for the first five minutes. The Panthers led 11-5 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was a disaster for the Rockets, as WO rattled off a 19-2 run, including the final 14 points of the half, to lead 30-7 at halftime.
A low scoring third quarter saw the Panther lead grow to 37-12. Reeths-Puffer outscored the Panthers 20-9 in the fourth quarter, but never drew closer than 11 points. 
Raquel Walker sets up the Reeths-Puffer offense. Photo/Mitchell Boatman
Freshman Raquel Walker led Reeths-Puffer with 12 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Ashlyn David and senior Jenna Terpstra scored five points each and sophomore Joslynn Kops chipped in four.
Freshman Jana Honeycutt led all scorers with 26 points for West Ottawa, including 20 in the first half. Taylor Catton added eight points for the Panthers.
Reeths-Puffer is now 5-11 on the season.
The Rcckets return home on Friday night for a rivalry matchup with Mona Shores. The Sailors (11-5, 5-1) won the first matchup of the season 44-32.