Rocket Win To Mid Pen In Basketball:RAPID RIVER - Rich Moberg says it's nice to get a win.
The Rapid River girls basketball coach hasn't been able to say that very often this season, but he could here Monday night as the Rockets downed Mid Peninsula 55-43 in a dual Skyline/Central U.P. conference game.
Rapid River began the season with a 46-28 victory at Mid Pen, but had lost 15 straight. During that streak, the Rockets had managed to score more than 40 points just twice.
"It's been a frustrating season, but you can't think about it like that," said Moberg. "We've changed up and down the lineup so many times. We've been moving forward and making progress."
That progress paid off against a Wolverine squad which has also struggled this season. Rapid River used a 12-3 run over the last four minutes of the second quarter to erase a three-point deficit and take a 26-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.
"We weren't expecting a press (from Mid Pen) at the start," Moberg said. "Once the girls got their composure and moved the ball across half-court and didn't buy into the chaos the press likes to cause, we started to execute a little better."
The Rockets began the second half on a 9-0 run for a 35-20 advantage, highlighted by three triples from sophomore Kelly Bintner.
"I was feeling it," said Bintner, who led the Rockets with 20 points. "I just tried to get open and shoot."
Fellow sophomore Ashleigh Monticello added 14 points for Rapid River (2-15, 2-9 Skyline, 2-9 CUP).
"We have a young group of kids who will be good ballplayers," said Moberg.
For the Wolverines and coach Jill VanDamme, it's back to the drawing board after another frustrating loss, one in which Mid Pen turned the ball over 33 times, including 22 in the first half.
"The story of our whole season has been our turnovers," said VanDamme. "That just eats us up, plus they have a few shooters who can hurt you, especially Bintner."
The Wolverines did get off to a good start, leading 11-8 after the first quarter, but the turnovers ultimately did Mid Pen in.
"I have stressed all season we have to value possession of the ball because when we do turn it over, our opponents have a chance to score every time."
Emily Kayser led the Wolverines (1-16, 1-9 CUP, 0-12 Skyline) with 18 points, while Krysta VanDamme added 10.
Rapid River, which won the jayvee contest 34-28, travels to North Central Thursday. Mid Pen visits Big Bay de Noc Thursday.
Mid Pen 11 9 11 12 - 43
Rapid River 8 18 18 11 - 55
Mid Peninsula - Verbrigghe 1, Caron 4, Gerou 8, Kayser 18, VanDamme 10, LaCosse 2. FT: 13-26; Fouls: 17; Fouled out: Caron; 3-point field goals: None.
Rapid River - Judson 8, Dalgord 2, Monticello 14, Moberg 6, Bintner 20, Brockway 2, Hough 3. FT: 12-20; Fouls: 21; Fouled out: Moberg; 3-point field goals: Bintner 4, Monticello 2.
