By Lucas Rains
Local Sports Journal
MUSKEGON – For the second time in less than two weeks, the two girls basketball teams atop the O-K Black conference squared off.
And once again Reeths-Puffer came out on top in another nail-biter against Mona Shores.
Puffers’ Camaryia Williams takes the ball strong to the basket against Shores’ Kelsey Wolffis (12). Photo/Eric Sturr
The Rockets erased a double-digit second half deficit to grab a 49-47 victory Friday over the Sailors and take sole possession of the league lead by one game.
The Rockets had to work hard to gain the victory. Mona Shores led 13-10 after the first eight minutes, 29-21 at halftime and 39-32 after three quarters.
“We talked at halftime that we were going to have to get some important defensive stops and stop being afraid of the (Mona Shores’) trap,” said Reeths-Puffer Coach Brandon Barry.“We started to punch it offensively, and we did enough of that combined with the defense to get it done tonight.”
Reeths-Puffer took its first lead since the second quarter, 44-42, with 3:27 to go in the game.
Every point for both teams came from the free throw line the rest of the way, making each attempt increasingly important.
Shores’ Shamara Tumblin (21) drives by RP’s Artrese Williams (5). Photo/Eric Sturr
The Rocket defense didn’t allow a single Sailor field goal in the fourth quarter. Mona Shores missed six of its 14 attempted free throws in the final minutes.
Reeths-Puffer led 49-47 with 10 seconds to go, following a pair of free throws by Elysia Mattos. Mona Shores had a chance to tie or win in the game’s final possession.
A Jordan Walker shot at the buzzer clanked off the iron, allowing R-P to preserve the win.
Puffers’ Elysia Mattos (32) eyes the Mona Shores defense. Photo/Eric Sturr
Camaryia Williams led the Rockets with 19 points, Delaney Bolles added 11 and Mattos scored 10.
Walker and Kelsey Wolffis scored 20 and 17 points, respectively, for Mona Shores.
