Rockets eke out victory over Old Fort

BY YANEEK SMITH, BEACON CONTRIBUTOR

OAK HARBOR — In a back-and-forth game between two good teams, Oak Harbor was able to will itself to victory, defeating Old Fort, 60-54. The Rockets (3-1) trailed, 23-21, at halftime but outscored the Stockaders, 25-17, in the third quarter to take a 46-40 lead into the fourth.

With Oak Harbor holding a 49-40 lead, Old Fort (3-1) went on an 11-0 run before the Rockets regained control of the game by hitting some free throws down the stretch.

“I think it was a great victory. I think they’re a well-coached team,” said Oak Harbor coach Eric Sweet. “On film, after watching them, I knew it would be a tough game. I liked how we played.”

The teams made a combined 18 3-pointers with Oak Harbor connecting on 10. Blake Booker scored 24 points, which included six 3-pointers, to lead the Rockets. Teammate Jac Alexander scored 19 points to help pace the Rocket attack.

Sweet had high praise for Booker.

“He shot 6-of-11 from 3-point range,” said Sweet. “He has a really nice stroke. He has played really well for us.”

Zach Dewese scored 15 points to lead Old Fort (3-1) and Carson Steyer chipped in with 14.

“Sitting at 3-1, you’ve got to be excited. We didn’t shoot the ball very well against Huron,” said Sweet. “We didn’t have a lot of rebounds to get ourselves going. We learned from that game, and we adjusted a little bit.

“We’ve had to replace a lot of seniors, (and) we’re learning who we are. These kids are working their tails off. I’ll take 3-1 and a tough loss to Huron.”

Rocket girls rout Vermilion

Oak Harbor played a strong second quarter and cruised to victory from there, defeating Vermilion, 71-33.

The Rockets, who led, 12-8, after the first quarter, outscored the Sailors, 25-11, in the second to take a 37-19 lead into the half.

“I thought in the game against Vermilion we showed a little glimmer of the level of play this group can get to,” said Oak Harbor coach Tom Kontak. “The early season has brought many different experiences for the team. This game showed nice consistent scoring and good spacing on the floor by all players.”

The Rockets (5-1, 2-0 SBC Bay) had four players in double figures. Logan Harris led all scorers with 16 points and Sophia Eli scored 15. Ryann Steinbrick and Riley Steinbrick scored 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Clara Smith had 11 points to lead Vermilion (1-6, 1-2 SBC Bay).

Oak Harbor 70, SMCC 20

Oak Harbor made easy work of St. Mary Central Catholic, defeating the Panthers, 70-20, in non-conference action.

“It was a very important win to achieve and bounce back from our first loss,” said Oak Harbor coach Tom Kontak. “It was a long week off between games, but very beneficial learning time.”

The Rockets outscored SMCC, 23-5, in the first quarter and held the Panthers scoreless in the second to take a 35-5 lead into halftime.

Oak Harbor’s Ryann Steinbrick scored 19 points to lead all scorers, Sophia Eli finished with 17 points and Logan Harris had 12.

Ashley Hunter scored five points to help pace SMCC.