Rockford is able to survive a late Wildcat run for another OK Red win.

In early December when people looked at Friday night’s game at Jenison against the Rockford Rams they may have thought of it as just another OK Red win for the Rams. That of course, is why they play the games. Rockford struggled early in the season while navigating through an unbelievably though schedule and Jenison has been surprising at times. Tonight was one of those nights in the mighty OK Red where you cannot over look your opponent or you will be going home with a loss. In talking with Rockford coach Steve Majerle before the game, he spoke of the way that his team has battled and continued to play good defense but it was the offense that sputtered at times. Tonight was no different.

The Rams came out cold shooting 3 for 18 in the first quarter including an 0 for 6 stretch to start the game as Jenison pounced on a 8-0 lead behind Eric Evans’ 10 point first quarter. The Wildcats extended that lead out to 14-2 at one point of the quarter and looked to be the good Jenison that we have seen at times. The second quarter was a different story however as the wide open Ram shots began to fall and the defense clamped down. Rockford took the 2^nd quarter 19-4 including a 13-0 stretch to end the half. Ryan Majerle began to score down low after struggling from outside early. Jenison turned the ball over repeatedly including 3 traveling calls in about a 1:30 stretch of the 2^nd quarter. Rockford led 25-18 at the half despite shooting 29% from the floor.

The momentum swung back toward Jenison in the 3^rd as the Wildcats were able to knock down and a pair of early triples as well as own the boards in the third. Jenison finished with 30 rebounds in the game as Rockford continued to struggle from the perimeter. The Wildcats benefited from some stellar play from freshman Luke Diekevers to spark the 3^rd quarter run as he recorded a pair of blocks on Majerle and also chipped in 8 points on the other end. Rockford was unable to get the turnovers that were keeping them in the game and shot 2 for 13 in the 3^rd quarter.

The Rams flexed the defensive muscle once again to overcome a 3 point deficit to start the 4^th. A 13-2 run to begin the final 8:00 had Jenison frustrated and the Rams in the driver’s seat. Justin Klein was able to kill plenty of clock and break the trap for easy baskets when pressured, Klein finished with 8 points on the night. With 44 seconds left the Wildcats were able to record a tip in bucket and then pressure the inbounds for Rockford. Sloppy in-bounding and tenacious hustle led to two steals and quick and easy baskets for Jenison, the lead was cut to two with seconds to play. Out of timeouts, and unable to stop the clock the final horn sounded as Rockford got the ball in-bounded after the second Wildcat hoop and the Rams escaped with a gritty OK Red victory 42-40.

Coach Brett Dyke had his young Wildcats fighting until the end and almost stole one at home from perennial power Rockford. Evans finished with 21 and 7 rebounds for the Cats. Majerle poured in a hard earned 16 with 5 boards and junior center Aaron Weston had 8 points with 6 rebounds. Rockford leans on their defense when they are struggling with their shot and tonight it worked as it has in the past. The Rams remain at the top of the league with the Red meat still ahead of them.

All photos provided by David Chandler Photography. You can see more action from tonight’s game as well as purchase prints here.