The JV Rockets team dropped the game 34–44, and the varsity Rockets lost by a similar margin.
Starting for the Rockets:
Number 0, Max Burns, a 6’3” junior
Number 3, Cole Heald, a 6’2” senior
Number 10, Z’Viyon Martin, a 5’11” junior
Number 12, Cole Mulnix, a 6’8” senior
Number 24, Owen Mandrell, a 5’11” senior
Starting for the Dukes:
Number 10, Brady Feit, a senior
Number 11, Brody Nicklaus, a junior
Number 15, Jimi Gosinski, a sophomore
Number 24, Armahn McGowan, a sophomore
Number 34, Jakob Nicklaus, a sophomore
Cole Mulnix (Rocket #12) met Armahn McGowan (Duke #24) at the line, where Mulnix won the first possession of the game for the Rockets. Cole Heald (Rocket #3) rimmed out on a three-point shot in that first possession, and neither team scored until Brody Nicklaus (Duke #11) knocked one down for two inside the arc a minute and a half into the quarter. The Rockets started the game in a 1-3-1 zone, and the Dukes started in a man-to-man defense with a full-court press. After the initial points and another basket, the Rockets went on a 10-0 run to take a 10-4 lead. That lead did not last long. Dixon immediately responded with a 9-0 run and then a 5-0 run, ending the first quarter with a three-point buzzer-beater by Brody Nicklaus (Duke #11) and leading 18-12.
The Rockets started with the first possession in the second quarter, but Brody Nicklaus (Duke #11) was the first to score in the quarter when he drove the lane on the next possession. Both teams played man-to-man defense in the second quarter. The Dukes went on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 26-12. The Rockets answered with a 5-0 run, then the Dukes followed with a 5-0 run of their own, with scoring in between until the score stood at 33-20 in the Dukes’ favor. Each team added a few more baskets before halftime, where the Dukes led 37-25.
The halftime show featured the dance team’s annual Daddy-Daughter dance, where the fathers of the dance team members joined them for a special performance. After the dance, the band played with special guests, alumni from the Rock Falls High School pep band.
The Dukes gained the first possession of the third quarter, and Xavion Jones (Duke #22) took it to the basket with ease immediately following the inbound to start the quarter. Both teams remained in man-to-man defense in the third quarter. The Rockets went on an 8-0 run to bring the game within five points at 42-37. Armahn McGowan (Duke #24) finished the quarter with a two-point buzzer-beater to make the score 44-37 with the Dukes ahead.
The Rockets started with possession in the final quarter, and Cole Heald (Rocket #3) scored first when he drove to the hoop. Both teams finished the game in man-to-man defense. The Rockets went on two separate 5-0 runs, each answered by a Dukes 6-0 run, keeping the Rockets just behind at 59-51. Cole Mulnix (Rocket #12) picked up his fifth foul at the 1:32 mark in the fourth quarter, followed by Phillip Griffith Jr. (Rocket #13), who fouled out with 19.7 seconds left on the clock. The Rockets continued to fight but were unable to overcome the Dukes’ lead. Many of the Dukes’ points in the final quarter came from Brody Nicklaus (Duke #11), who went 13-for-15 (87%) from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter alone. The Dukes won 69-61 on the Rock Falls home court.
Leading scorers for the Rockets included Max Burns (#0) and Cole Mulnix (#12) with 18 points each, and Cole Heald (#3) with 13 points. Leading scorers for the Dukes were Brody Nicklaus (#11) with 25 points and Armahn McGowan (#24) with 16 points.
The Rockets are now 10-20 overall (3-6 in conference). They hit the road on Tuesday, February 17, to face the Eastland Cougars in their final regular-season game.
The Dukes are now 10-16 overall (5-4 in conference). They host their next game against the Princeton Tigers on Tuesday, February 17.
