Chucked out

After their close loss to Carrington, the New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets fell to No. 8 in the rankings for Class B boys basketball, but it wasn't long before they put themselves back in the win column.

Against the St. John Woodchucks on Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Rockets scored more points than they had all season in a single game, and their opponents struggled to keep pace.

Five separate players scored double digits that evening, something that'd become commonplace so far this season as the NR-S offense does an excellent job of moving the ball and finding their open teammate.

By comparison, the Woodchucks' offense was funneled almost entirely through two players: Ashton Parisien and Madden Parisien, who amassed 29 and 23 points, respectively. But without a balanced attack, there's not much they could do to keep up with NR-S.

The Rockets had a seven point lead after one quarter, which grew to 13 at halftime.

There were moments in the first half when St. John would threaten to catch up to NR-S, and on a couple of occasions brought their deficit down to just three or four points.

Their reliance on the 3-pointer was both a blessing and a curse: when they hit their mark they could quickly erase an opponent's lead, but when they missed NR-S was able to open the gap.

The third quarter was a big one for the Rockets, as the Woodchuck's 3-pointers that kept them within reach during the second half suddenly stopped falling, and NR-S opened a 23-point lead as a result.

The Woodchucks improved their accuracy considerably in the fourth quarter, but by then the damage was done, and the Rockets walked away with a comfortable 87-69 victory.

The win brings the Rockets' overall record to 6-1 on the season. Offensive standouts were Easton Simon and Easton Benz, who earned 18 and 17 points, respectively. Bennett Meier also scored 16 points, while Kage Walford scored 12 and Shaun Reimche scored 11.

The Rockets' next game is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23 against Larimore in New Rockford.

Region 2

Boys' Basketball

NR-S 87, St. John 69

Tuesday, Jan. 14

at New Rockford

NR-S: 23 20 23 21 - 87

St. John: 15 15 13 26 - 69

NR-S: Easton Simon 18, Easton Benz 17, Bennett Meier 16, Kage Walford 12, Shaun Reimche 11, Kailar Jacobson 5, Alex Weisenburger 4, Porter Granger 4. Totals: 34 FG, 8-15 FT, 16 fouls. 3-pointers: Reimche 3, Benz 3, Simon 2, Walford 2, Jacobson 1.

St. John: Ashton Parisien 29, Madden Parisien 23, Simon LaRocque 10, Eastin Herman 3, Tayden Longie 2, Sage Vaulters 2. Totals: 13 FG, 9-12 FT, 13 fouls. 3-pointers: M. Parisien 7, A. Parisien 4, LaRocque 2, Herman 1.