By Mike Mattson
Local Sports Journal
Mona Shores coach Nick Bronsema is thankful for his 7-foot senior center Adam Rayner.
Rayner scored six of the Sailors’ nine points in overtime to lead Shores to a thrilling 54-49 win Friday night against rival Reeths-Puffer at Rocket Arena.
“Adam has been with us for three, four years,” Bronsema said. “He came up big for us at the end.”
Rayner, who finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, muscled his way inside for a couple of layups. He made 2-of-4 free throws in the final 18 seconds, while Marquon Sargent added a couple of late free throws to propel the Sailors.
Shores (9-7, 4-4) has won four of its last five games and appears to be heating up near the end of the season.
“Our guys are pretty resilient and believe in team ball,” Bronsema said. “Defense is our staple. If our offense struggles, we still have our defense.”
Marcus Tumblin produced nine points and eight rebounds and Adreon Billips and Sargent each added eight points for Shores, which put together another solid game on defense. Sargent also had seven rebounds, with Kobe Burse chipping in with five assists and Dimitris Demetriou three steals.
It proved to be a frustrating game for the Rockets, who made only 5-of-16 free throws in the fourth quarter and overtime.
“We gave them a lot of second chances and we let the big guy post up,” Puffer coach Dave Ingles said. “We’re competing hard. We have to learn to win the close games.”
Puffer also lost two close games at Grand Rapids Union and Holland during the week.
Raynor and the Sailors also had a 31-19 rebounding advantage.
Marquese Livers led the Rockets with 14 points and seven rebounds, while freshman DeAndre Oaks-Owens contributed 11 points.
Puffer took control in the first half, leading 14-13 after one quarter and 27-26 after two quarters. The Sailors regained the momentum with a big third quarter, outscoring the Rockets 13-6.
Puffer clawed back in the fourth quarter behind Livers, who had a crowd-pleasing slam dunk.
Mona Shores 55, Reeths-Puffer 49 (OT)
MONA SHORES (9-7, 4-4)
Marcus Tumblin 3 2-4 9, Julian Loera 0 1-2 1, Jamarius Williams 2 0-0 6, Dimitris Demetriou 1 0-0 2, Marquon Sargent 2 4-8 8, Adreon Billips 3 2-2 8, Logan Smith 1 0-0 2, Cameron Matthews 1 2-4 4, Kobe Burse 0 0-2 0, Adam Rayner 6 2-5 14. Totals 19 13-27 55.
REETHS-PUFFER (5-11, 2-6)
Dede Blake 2 0-0 6, Marquese Livers 6 2-4 14, Kevin Polk 2 3-4 7, Jacob Hollemans 1 0-2 2, Quinzell Pannell 3 3-5 9, DeAndre Oaks-Owens 5 1-1 11. Totals 19 9-16 49.
Mona Shores 13-13-13-6-9-54
Reeths-Puffer 14-13-6-12-4-49
3-point field goals-Tumblin, Williams (2); Blake (2). Total fouls-Mona Shores 15, Reeths-Puffer 12.
