In a game that was much closer late than Rockridge had hoped, reigning MVP Nate Henry’s 20 lifts the Rockets to a 58-52 win over the Hornets of Brown County. With 4:08 left in the 3rd quarter, the score was Rockridge 38, Brown County 35. Rockridge would then go on a 13-4 run that would last until 2:57 left in the 4th quarter, with the score at 51-39 Rockets. Brown County buckled down and cut the lead to six. Late free throws would clinch for the #1 seeded Rockets and they advance.
Brown County actually outscored Rockridge 13-8 in the fourth quarter. However, they were never able to recover from a disastrous 2nd quarter where they were doubled-up 18-9. The difference in this game could be boiled down to points in the paint (Rockridge 22, Brown County 16) and points off of turnovers (Rockridge 15, Brown County 8). The Hornets out-rebounded the taller reigning champs 28-26.
Rockridge had a trio of scoring standouts in this game. Nate Henry had 20 points, Jase Whiteman added 17 points, and TJ Wilson finished with 14. Henry also led his team with nine rebounds. Wilson added some defensive muscle with four blocks and two steals.
The Hornets also had a 20-point scorer in Cole Behymer. Tate Fullerton contributed with the tournament’s first double-double, providing 14 points and 11 rebounds. Fullerton also shot an impressive 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
Rockridge has earned a matchup with familiar foe Farmington, in the tournament’s Game 14, tomorrow night at 6:30pm. Brown County will play the Chargers of Illini West in Game 10, tomorrow morning at 10:30am.
Box Score
Rockridge Info
Brown County Info
Chris Derry
December 27, 2021
