Rock Valley completed their 2A Substate 2 run with a 64-32 win over Estherville Lincoln Central at the Fieldhouse in Spencer Saturday night.
A 10-0 run set the tone for the rest of the contest as the Rockets moved to a 19-7 first quarter lead. By halftime the lead was 31-15. Another 10-0 run to start the second half sparked a 26-7 scoring advantage that put the lead at 57-22 at the end of the third quarter. With running clock at the end of the fourth quarter Rock Valley could start thinking about Des Moines and Wells Fargo Arena as they rolled to a 64-32 win.
Bryson Van Grootheest led the way with a 25 point night that included a 13 point third quarter. He was joined in double figures by Landyn Van Kekerix who hit for a dozen. Complimentary scoring included 8 points each from Caleb Kats and Sam Remmerdy. Dawson Van Beek hit a pair of threes for 6 points.
E-LC was led by Blake Ingvall with 15 points and Ryan Schiltz with 10. With the win Rock Valley moves on to the State Tournament with a 19-5 record. The Midgets end the season at 16-8.
After the game Head Coach Wade Vander Maten was especially proud of his seniors.
The key to the win came early on the 10-2 run to start the contest.
The fast start was a combination of game plan and execution.
We asked the coach when he thought his Rockets could be a State Tournament team.
The Rockets will take a little time to enjoy the accomplishment then it’s back to work.
Rock Valley will open tournament play on Tuesday March 8th as the #2 seed. Their first opponent will be # 7 seed Jesup with opening tip at 12:15.
