12/30/09 - State Farm Classic - Macon Meridian
January 11, 2010
12/30/09 – Rock Falls 48 Macon Meridian 46
Rockets defeat 2009 Class 1A State Champs
By Bob Martin
Rock Falls 5 12 8 23 48
Macon Meridian 13 2 15 16 46
With 1:12 remaining in the game, Macon had just knocked down 2 free throws to take an 8 point lead (34-42) and the inevitability of defeat hung in the air for the Rockets. Macon put on a full court press to slow down the Rockets but lost track of Tevin Rumley who broke towards the basket. Jake Junis inbounded a bomb to Rumley who threw down a dunk on the fast break. The Rockets immediately fouled and Macon, now in the super bonus, converted 1 of 2 shots. The Rockets advanced the ball quickly and Gordo Barron found Brett Chappell in the right corner who drained a long ball (39-43, 1:00). Rock Falls fouled quickly and this time Macon made both shots. With the Hawks defending against 3 balls, Dylan Austin easily drove to the basket for a fieldgoal (41-45, 0:48). When the ball was inbounded Junis immediately fouled but unfortunately this was his 5th, so one of the Rocket’s main threats was lost to them. Macon converted 1 of 2 of the free throws and the Rockets advanced the ball again to Chappell in the same right corner. He launched a 3 but was soundly fouled. Brett stepped to the line and calmly swished 3 in a row (44-46, 0:41). After Macon inbounded the ball, Rumley stole it away and scored on a drive, tying the game (46-46, 0:29). The Rockets called their last time out and put on a full court press to slow down the Hawks. Once the Hawks crossed center court they called time (46-46, 0:20) to strategize taking the last shot. The Rockets applied strong pressure to the ball handlers while avoiding a foul and when Macon attempted a cross court pass, Rumley once again, intercepted it and was fouled on the play. Now Tevin would attempt a one and bonus, and Rocket fans were nervous as he had missed all of his previous 4 attempts. But no problem, as he knocked them both down (48-46, 0:07). On the inbound play, the Rockets harassed the ball carrier who slipped and stepped on the out of bounds line, ball and game to the Rockets. For the first time in a long time, the Rockets had played old time Rocket basketball (never say die), and it felt good!
Although Macon Meridian is a 1A school, they are also the defending State Champions with a record last year of 31-2. They came into this contest with a 6-2 record and with the confidence borne of a winning a State Championship. Rock Falls (8-6, 1-1) was fresh off a morning victory over Providence St. Mel and had renewed confidence with the return, not only of JC McNinch on Monday, but now Rumley. Now the Rockets only await the return of Joe Linton to fill out their roster in a way they envisioned at the beginning of the season. It is clear there is new energy in the step of all the Rockets as they see their potential.
For the game, Rumley was the leading scorer with 16 points and was joined in double figures by Austin who tallied 12 points. Junis led the team with 3 assists and Shay Brown with 3 steals. McNinch scored big on the coach’s performance ratings by achieving the punishment of absorbing a charge.
With this victory, the Rockets were 3-1 in the Tournament and won 5th place overall.
Rocket Scorers:
Tevin Rumley 16
Dylan Austin 12
Brett Chappell 6
JC McNinch 5
Jake Junis 4
Matt Lauts 4
Gordo Barron 1
Next Up:
Jan 5: IVC in Chillicothe
Jan 8: Mendota at home
Jan 9: Seneca at home in the Rock Falls Shootout
