Finally, they've got a win!

It was a long time coming, but the New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets finally have a mark in the win column.

Hosting the Washburn Cardinals on Saturday, Jan. 14, the Rockets were in desperate need of a big win if they had any hope of turning their season around, as this game would be their last before facing regional opponents.

Though the Rockets entered Saturday's game winless, the Cardinals hadn't been enjoying a great season either, having won just three games to seven losses - if ever there was a chance to turn their season around, this was it for the Rockets.

But it wouldn't be easy. With only one starting senior this season, NR-S has been suffering from inexperience, frequent turnovers and a faulty defense.

Rockets' head coach Tyler Cook said he expected his young team to struggle early, but is encouraged by the progress he's seen in recent weeks, which culminated in marked improvements on both ends of the court against Wasburn.

"I knew it would be tough early on," said Cook. "A lot of them haven't played any varsity, or have had very limited minutes. But every game I think you can see them getting more comfortable in their roles and everybody kind of figuring out how to play together."

That growth may be why NR-S appears to have cured another ailment that beset them early this season: slow starts, which had been constantly putting them on the back foot.

Now, the Rockets are suddenly playing their best basketball in the first half.

NR-S started well despite ultimately losing to Wilton-Wing on Jan. 7, and there was absolutely nothing sluggish about the Rockets' start against Washburn last Saturday.

The NR-S offense, led by freshman Easton Simon, erupted for 21 points in the first eight minutes and tacked on another 15 before halftime. Simon, with accuracy from beyond the arc and great free-throw shooting, accounted for more than 50 percent of the Rockets' first-half points.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals were held to just 21 points after two quarters, and Cook credited his teams' defense following the game.

"Our effort and energy on the defensive end was a lot better," he said. "We had been giving up around 75 points per game going in, and then to hold them in the 40s was great. That's the kind of games we need to play. We don't have the offensive firepower to go out and score 80 points."

However, Washburn came out of halftime the stronger team, and a good third quarter from them meant the Rockets' lead was back to single digits. Easton Simon, however, was showing no signs of slowing down.

In the fourth quarter, he almost single handedly kept the Rockets from

losing their lead, scoring eight of the Rockets' 11 points in the final minutes. Simon ended the night with a career-high 27 points, reminding Rocket fans how much they have to look forward to as the young Simon continues to grow.

Thanks to Simon's dominance and the team's improved defense, the game ended 55-46 in the Rockets' favor. It's only one win, but it came at a critical juncture of the season.

"To finally get that first win and get that weight off the shoulders is huge," said Cook. "And then like I told the guys, those first six games they don't really matter. They do, but they don't. Now with regional play starting against Warwick, that's what really matters."

The Warwick Warriors came to New Rockford on Monday, Jan. 16 to begin Region 4 competition. With seven wins and just one loss, the Warriors entered Monday's game expecting yet another easy victory on their way to competing for a regional championship.

What they got, however, was a stout NR-S team that went toe-to-toe with one of the region's best squads. The Rockets once again started well, and the lead changed hands multiple times throughout the night.

Ultimately, the Warriors hit their late free-throws and barely escaped New Rockford with a 44-40 win.

The Rockets aren't the same team that started the season 0-6. They're playing with a confidence and intensity that's breathing new life into what many thought was an over-and-done season.

The Rockets aimed to continue their good form against the St. John Woodchucks on Friday, Jan. 20 in New Rockford. That game will be covered in the Jan. 30 edition.

Non-Region Boys' Basketball

NR-S 55, Washburn 46

Saturday, Jan. 14

in New Rockford

NR-S: 21 15 8 11 - 55

Washburn: 9 12 16 9 - 46

NR-S: Easton Simon 27, Trevor Waldo 8, Lucas Yri 4, Bennett Meier 4, Easton Benz 4, DJ Mudgett 4, Ashton Reimche 2, Porter Granger 2. Totals: 20 FG, 12-16 FT, 17 fouls. 3-pointers: Simon 2, Waldo 1.

Washburn: Alex Retterath 21, Dylan Eckell 10, Parker Jacobson 9, Owen Patterson 4, Carter Knutson 2. Totals: 14 FG, 12-15 FT, 19 fouls. Fouled out: Jack Retterath, Ethan Retterath. 3-pointers: Jacobson 3, Eckell 2, Patterson 1.

Junior Varsity

NR-S 70, Washburn 39

Super Region 4 Boys' Basketball

NR-S 40, Warwick 44

Monday, Jan. 16

in New Rockford

NR-S: 10 9 13 8 - 40

Warwick: 9 17 4 14 - 44

NR-S: Easton Simon 14, Bennett Meier 13, Kage Walford 8, Trevor Waldo 3, Ashton Reimche 2. Totals: 13 FG, 5-8 FT, 20 fouls. 3-pointers: Walford 2, Simon 1.

Warwick: Marcus Joramo 11, Dalton Joramo 10, Jason Lenoir 8, Mark Fassett Jr. 8, Elijah Feather Jr. 5, Dorvan McKay Jr. 2. Totals: 12 FG, 11-17 FT, 20 fouls. 3-pointers: D. Joramo 1, Feather Jr. 1, Lenoir 1.

Junior Varsity

NR-S 63, Warwick 52