The game was originally supposed to be played on the previous Friday, January 23, but was rescheduled due to hazardous weather conditions.
The JV Rockets took a narrow 38-35 victory against the JV Cardinals in a game close to the same level of physicality displayed in the varsity game. The varsity Rockets led a majority of the game, but Stillman Valley was able to rise above in the end and claim victory.
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 22, Owen Laws, a 6’ 3” Junior
Starting for the Cardinals:
- Number 2, Paxton Barger, a 5’ 11” Sophomore
- Number 5, Ryan Spangler, a 6’ 0” Junior
- Number 10, Kaleb Chambers, a 6’ 4” Senior
- Number 11, Evan Eddy, a 6’ 1” Senior
- Number 21, Liam Seabold, a 6’ 0” Senior
Cole Mulnix (Rocket #12) and Kaleb Chambers (Cardinal #10) met at half court to start the game and battle for first possession for the jump ball, where the Cardinals won and transitioned right into the first bucket of the game. The Cardinals start the game in a man-to-man defense while the Rockets start in a 1-3-1 zone defense, but quickly transition to a man-to-man defense. The Rockets went on an early 6-0 run to start the game ahead 9-7. After some back-and-forth play, the Cardinals combated with their own 6-0 run at the end of the quarter, with Paxton Barger (Cardinal #2) knocking in an impressive off-balance three-pointer to end the quarter ahead 19-13.
The Rockets started with the first possession of the second quarter, and Max Burns (Rocket #0) went 2/2 on free throws to score the first points of the quarter. Both teams continued in a man-to-man defense throughout this quarter. The Cardinals went on a 5-0 run to a 24-15 Cardinal lead, to which the Rockets soon responded with a 13-0 run to claim the lead 30-26. After allowing the Cardinals another bucket, the Rockets went on a 6-0 run to close the quarter ahead 36-28, changing the momentum of the game.
The Cardinals started with possession in the third quarter, and along with possession, scored the first points when Paxton Barger (Cardinal #2) drained a three-pointer. Both teams remained in a man-to-man defense. The Cardinals went on a 5-0 run to 33-36, trailing just behind the Rockets. The Rockets made up for the lost points with their own 5-0 run to get back ahead 47-39. The Cardinals went on a series of runs, 6-0, 5-0, and 5-0 until they led 57-53 at the end of the third quarter.
The Cardinals began with possession again in the fourth and final quarter and got the first points when Evan Eddy (Cardinal #11) knocked down 1/2 free throws. Both teams stayed in a man-to-man defense in the final quarter. Neither team had a significant run except for the Cardinals when they went on a 5-0 run to stay ahead 69-57. The Rockets continued to fight, but ultimately the Cardinals had outscored them 83-75.
Leading scorers for the Rockets included Phillip Griffith (#13) with 20 points and Cole Heald (#3) with 18 points. Leading scorers for the Cardinals were Paxton Barger (#2) with 34 points and Evan Eddy (#11) with 21 points.
The Rockets are now 9-16 overall (2-3 in conference) after this loss and a 74-64 win over North Boone on Saturday, January 31. The Rockets will compete again on Tuesday, February 3, at Winnebago High School.
