Local Sports Journal
Reeths-Puffer snagged its first OK Black win of the season on Saturday in a 68-66 overtime victory against Zeeland East.
Deandre Oakes-Owens was the go to man for Reeths-Puffer. The sophomore guard put the Rockets on top for good on an And 1 play with :20 second left in OT. Oakes-Owens scored 21 points in the second half and finished with 26 points, six steals, five assists and nine rebounds. He also shot 8 of 10 from the foul line.
“This was his (Oakes-Owens) best effort by far,” said Reeths-Puffer coach Dave Ingles. “All of his points came at the hole, getting to the basket and getting fouled.”
The Rockets overcame a nine-point deficit that started in the first quarter when they trailed 18-9 and 30-21 at halftime. RP didn’t find its first lead until the fourth quarter.
Senior big man Tristan Wright held the middle for Reeths-Puffer, and stepped up down low. He finished with seven points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
“Tristan blocked shots, he altered shots, rebounded, he really played well,” said Ingles about his 6-7 center.
Reeths-Puffer took the lead midway through the fourth and nearly lost it at the foul line as they made just 1 of 4 attempts in the final two minutes. They continued to struggle in OT where they converted 3 of 7.
“We got stops and we made them chase us, but man we did not make free throws,” said Ingles about his team’s win. “It’s our first OK Black win of this season, but hey, You have to find the bright spot in a season like this.”
Also pacing Reeths-Puffer was DeAngelo Williams with nine points while Joey Olsen and Jalen Cooley scored eight points apiece.
