The season got under way for the Lady Rockets, and Rockets with a preseason tournament in Cornersville. On Tuesday nite, the Lady Rockets finished off a big Cascade team with full court pressure, and good outside shooting. Even though Cascade hit 7-10 at the free throw line in the 2nd half, it was not enough as the Lady Rockets pulled away to a 37-21 win. Blair Foster was on fire as she hit for 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 assists. Gaby Bussell put up 12 points under the boards, with 9 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. Ayla Young helped the cause with 6 points and 2 steals.
In a close fought battle, the Rockets followed suit with a hardfought victory over a good Cascade team. In the end the Rockets big man in the middle led the troops to a 50-43 win. Corey Shankle dominated the paint with a 12 point, 11 rebound preformance, including a 4-4 shooting clinic in the 4th quarter. Brian Whitley showed out with his 11 point, 5 rebound contribution. Chandler Gentry poured in 12 points, with 2 steals and an assist. Case Baltimore was a major contributor with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist. Casey Heithcock came off the bench with a hefty 5 points and 9 rebounds.
On Thursday evening the Lady Rockets took on Richland and advanced to the Championship round, winning with a tenacious defense 37-15. Gaby Bussell was her usual dominating self in the paint, finishing with 12 points, 4 rebounds and a steal. Dakota Wesson had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steal and 2 assists, for a complete preformance.
Hoping to follow suit, the Rockets came on the court full of confidence to met an arch rival from Liberty. Leading by 6 going into the 4th quarter, the Rockets seemed to have everything in hand. The wheels came off in the 4th, as two quick three-pointers, put Liberty right back in the hunt. The Rockets went cold as ice and eventually fell 36-26. The team walked away licking their wounds, but would rember this night. More on this later. Shankle led the way with 9 points, 15 rebounds, one assist and a blocked shot. Baltimore hoping for a huge night against his old alma mater, did have a good one finishing with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocked shots. Beaulieu had 6 points, 2 rebounds, one assist and one steal.
In the Boys Consolation game, the Rockets came back to take the Third Place Trophy with a 31-23 win over the Elkton Elks. Down 15-13 at the half, the Rockets came back strong in the second half, with Baltimore and Beaulieu hitting 7-9 in the 3rd period. Beaulieu led the rockets with 13 points, one rebound and a steal as Baltiomre finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and one assist. Shankle finished with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Way to go rockets.
The Championship Game pitted the Lady Rockets against the cross county rival Lady Bulldogs. Trailing 15-13 at the half, the Lady Rockets put on a defensive clinic in the second half. Allowing only 2 points in the 4th quarter, the Lady Rockets won it going away 31-21. Dakota Wesson and gabby Bussell each had 9 points, as Wesson added 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists, while Bussell added 4 rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot. Foster finished with 5 points, 6 rebounds and 7 steals in a defensive clinic. This team challenges almost every ball. Congadulations Lady Rockets.