The JV game came to an exciting conclusion when the JV Rockets won 66–65 in fourth-quarter overtime. The varsity game had just as much intensity, but the Rockets were ultimately bested by the Hubs.
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 Hubs:
Number 1, Cohen Haedt, a 5’7” sophomore
Number 2, Van Gerber, a 5’11” senior
Number 5, Mason Ludwig, a 6’3” junior
Number 11, Brody Bruns, a 6’5” junior
Number 30, Warren Schweitzer, a 6’7” junior
Cole Mulnix (Rocket #12) was bested by Brody Bruns (Hub #11) at the line for the jump ball at the beginning of the game. Although he didn’t win the jump, Mulnix was the first to score points for the Rockets, taking the first two points of the game with authority in the paint. The Rockets started the game in a 1–3–1 zone while the Hubs played man-to-man defense. Both teams were able to hold the other from going on lengthy runs, not allowing the other to score more than four points without answering back, until the Hubs went on a 7–0 run near the end of the quarter. The Rockets scored another layup at the end of the quarter, but the Hubs still led 15–11.
The Rockets got first possession of the second quarter, but Brody Bruns (Hub #11) was the first to score with a nice floater in the paint. Both teams remained in the same defenses they started with in the first quarter, with the Rockets occasionally transitioning to man-to-man for a couple of possessions before promptly returning to a zone. The Rockets made up some ground with a 5–0 run to get to a three-point game at 20–23, but Rochelle extended its lead to 28–22 before halftime.
At halftime, the dance team put on its final performance of the year. Also performing at halftime, the band hosted its annual middle school pep band night, where band members from the local middle schools—Rock Falls Middle School, Montmorency, and East Coloma—joined the high school band to play music at the game.
The Rockets were awarded first possession again in the third quarter, where Z’Viyon Martin (Rocket #10) used that first possession to score on a layup. Both teams started the quarter in man-to-man defense, but the Rockets returned to a 1–3–1 zone after several possessions. The Hubs went on a lengthy 8–0 run, showing no mercy against the Rockets as the scoring gap increased to 36–24. The Rockets continued to fight until the end of the quarter, where the Hubs led 48–33.
The Hubs started with the first possession in the final quarter, but once again the Rockets were quick to score as the ball found its way into Cole Mulnix’s (Rocket #12) hands for an easy two points. Both teams finished out the game playing tight man-to-man defense. The Rockets were able to put together a 6–0 run in the first half of the quarter to bring the score to 39–50, but after that, for every two points the Rockets made, it seemed the Hubs answered with three. The Hubs pulled away with the win, defeating the Rockets 66–53.
Leading scorers for the Rockets included Cole Mulnix (#12) with 15 points and Max Burns (#0) with 13 points. Leading scorers for the Hubs included Brody Bruns (#11) with 27 points and Kasin Avila (#3) with 14 points.
The Rockets are now 10–19 on the season (3–5 in conference). The Rock Falls Rockets boys basketball team will host its final regular-season home game of the 2025–26 basketball season against close conference rivals, the Dixon Dukes (9–16), on Friday, February 13.
