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College basketball

Rock Falls Rockets Fall to De La Salle Meteors in State Farm Classic

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Rock Falls Rockets put on a strong performance in the early going against top-seeded De La Salle Meteors, but ultimately fell short in a 62-44 loss in the State Farm Classic. Despite a valiant effort from sophomore Jake Junis, who led all players with 14 points, the Rockets were unable to sustain their momentum in the second half. The Meteors' supporting cast, including guard Rich Fisher, who made four 3-pointers and scored 14 points, proved to be too much for the Rockets to handle.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rock Falls Rockets came out strong with a 19-13 lead in the first quarter, thanks in part to a seven-point performance from Jake Junis in the last two minutes of the quarter.
  • The Meteors, however, produced a flurry of points to take control in the second quarter, including a fadeaway 3-pointer by Andre Henley that put De La Salle ahead 22-21.
  • Jake Junis' block of Mike Shaw's dunk attempt with 3 minutes, 30 seconds left in the game sparked a crowd buzz and earned him a pat on the backside and encouraging words from Shaw.
  • The Meteors' supporting cast, including Rich Fisher, Andre Henley, and Rob Robinson, proved to be too much for the Rockets to handle, with De La Salle holding a significant lead for most of the second half.
  • The Rockets' defense, which included a triangle-and-two zone, was able to hold Mike Shaw and point guard Derek Needham to 10 and three free throws, respectively, but the Meteors' bench players made up for it.
  • Rock Falls joins Sterling in the fifth-through-eighth-place bracket, where they will play Peoria Notre Dame at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Shirk Center.

Statistics:

  • The Rock Falls Rockets scored 14 points in the first quarter, with Jake Junis contributing seven of those points in the last two minutes.
  • The Meteors' supporting cast, including Rich Fisher, Andre Henley, and Rob Robinson, combined for 21 points in the second half.
  • Jake Junis led all players with 14 points, while Rich Fisher scored 14 points and made four 3-pointers for the Meteors.
  • Rock Falls' Michael Lauts scored 8 points, while Matt Lauts added 6 and Tevin Rumley scored 5 with a team-high 6 rebounds.
  • The Meteors' 22-point deficit in the second quarter was the largest lead by either team in the game.

Sources:

  • The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Ill.
  • Copyright (c) 2008, Daily Gazette, Sterling, Ill.
  • Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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