The Rockets battled hard against the Cougars at both levels. The JV Rockets lost to the Cougars 37-44, while the Varsity Rockets kept the game much closer.
Starting for the Rockets:
- 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
- Number 24, Owen Mandrell, a 5’ 11” Senior
Starting for the Cougars:
- Number 10, Zyacn Haverland, a Senior
- Number 22, Braden Anderson, a Senior
- Number 23, Perry Stoner, a Senior
- Number 24, Harper Keim, a Senior
- Number 35, Parker Krogman, a Senior
Cole Mulnix (Rocket #12) met Parker Krogman (Cougar #35) at the line to start the game. Unlike a traditional jump ball, the ball kind of fell between the two, got poked out by Parker, but fell into the Rockets’ hands for the first possession of the game, where Owen Laws (Rocket #22) took it in for a layup in the first possession. The Rockets started in a 3-2 zone defense while the Cougars played in a man-to-man defense with a press. The Cougars took five straight unanswered points after the first bucket, capturing the lead in the game at 5-2. After that, both teams scored back and forth without letting the other go on a run. The Cougars led at the end of the first, closely followed by the Rockets, at 11-9.
The Cougars started with the first possession in the second quarter, and Izaac Kuhlemier (Cougar #32) was the first to score after the ball changed hands a couple of times. Both teams remained in the same defense as in the first quarter. The Rockets took the only run this quarter with a 5-0 run to take the lead 18-15. Both teams were tied until the last 0:0.5 of the quarter, when Parker Krogman (Cougar #35) caught an alley-oop pass to tip in the basketball and leave the Cougars ahead 22-20.
For halftime entertainment, the 4th grade Eastland boys basketball team scrimmaged against themselves.
The Rockets gained first possession in the third quarter, where Owen Mandrell (Rocket #24) was the first to score when he knocked down a two-pointer. Neither team strayed away from their defense, remaining in their respective zone and man-to-man. The Rockets took another 5-0 run to tie the game at 28. After the last few possessions of the quarter, Eastland led again 32-30.
In the fourth and final quarter, the Rockets had first possession. Cole Heald (Rocket #3) was the first to score when he had a nice two-point jumper to start off the last quarter. Both teams stayed in the same defense; the Cougars started to emphasize the press a little more than they had throughout the game. The Rockets went on a final 5-0 run to bring the game back to within one point with Eastland in the lead at 42-43. The Rockets made another free throw, and the Cougars made a three-pointer to set the score 43-46. The final moments of the game were very heated, as there was a very tense feeling on the Rock Falls Rockets’ side of the court. With approximately eight seconds, Coach Sandrock for the Rockets was vigorously calling for a timeout five feet from the referee, but was not given one until the final 1.7 seconds of the game, forcing the Rockets to throw up a quick three-point shot to try and tie. Unfortunately, the Rockets were unable to knock it down, leading to the Cougars taking the game 46-43.
Leading scorers for the Rockets included Cole Heald (#3) with 15 points and Cole Mulnix (#12) with 12 points. Leading scorers for the Cougars consisted of Parker Krogman (#35) with 18 points and Braden Anderson (#22) with 14 points.
The Rockets finished the season 10-21 (3-6 in conference). The Rock Falls Rockets Boys Basketball team will compete again on Wednesday, February 25, at Rock Falls High School against the Oregon Hawks at 7:30 pm for the first round of 2A IHSA Regionals.
