Rockets Fall in Sub-State Finals
The Rocket boys basketball team traveled to Maize South Friday night to take on the Augusta Orioles in the sub-state semifinals. Augusta, having beaten the Rockets twice earlier in the regular season, had their work cut out for them as the determined Rockets stepped up their game defensively. With a packed 3-2 zone, the Rockets shut off any Oriole inside game, forcing Augusta to shoot outside. The Rockets, on the other side, were hot from the 3-point arch as Junior Sam Newton light the Orioles up for 21 points. Holding a slight lead, the Rockets managed to fend of the scrappy Orioles to the final buzzer advancing them to the sub-state finals for the second consecutive year. In the finals the Rockets would take on the Circle T-birds. The Rockets split with the thunderbirds in the regular season and would be in for a great match up between two league teams. The Rockets wasted little time getting to fast start as they jumped out to a 14-2 lead behind 3 pointers by Rapp and Shirley. The hot streak would end however as the Rockets suddenly went cold from the floor. Unable to score in but 3 points in the second quarter would prove to be costly as Circle made their run before half. Another dismal 3rd quarter saw the Rockets only putting up 4 points, however they still controlled they score by a single point. Circle's physical play would come out strong in the 4th as they took over the score and the momentum shift struck the Rockets hard. Being outscored in the final 3 quarters, the Rockets saw their season come to an end as Sub-State Runner ups in the 30-38 heart breaking loss. Seniors: Tyler Shirley, Dillon Rapp, Ramsey Khalidi, Chris Paddock, Tyler Richards, and Nick Young left everything they had in their final game and their dedication and leadership will be missed greatly.