Lady Rockets edge Eagles 47-45 late in fourth quarter

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) R-U's Jen Ruba takes the ball between a pair of Eagle defenders. The sophomore poured in 13 points to lead the Lady Rockets in the 47-45 win at Marcus Monday. [Click to enlarge]

The Remsen-Union girls already own a 47-33 win over Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn.

But a close 47-45 win in the second contest between the squads on Monday night did a lot to boost the momentum for the Lady Rockets (4-3) as they head into the Christmas break.

"It was really good for our girls," R-U Nick Fynaardt said.

"Going into the break 4-3 and having a winning record is hopefully going to spur us on in the second half of the season."

The two squads battled much closer than in the previous meeting and Fynaardt said that the host Eagles had a chance to win it near the end.

"We hit a couple free throws towards the end, but they fought back and had a chance to win it in the end."

With a key ball handler in Cassie Stoos out with an injury and a fourth-quarter injury sidelining Gina Mae Frericks for the next two weeks, Fynaardt challenged his players to step up and take leadership roles.

"I had challenged the girls for someone to step up as a leader," Fynaardt said.

"Kelsey Paskert really stepped up as a senior and became a leader. She challenged our girls and stepped up and did a really good job for us tonight."

Paskert netted 13 points to lead the Lady Rockets.

Sophomore Jen Ruba also poured in 13 points in the win.

"Jen plays really tough for us every night," Fynaardt said.

"She has been really tough helping us out down low this year and getting good looks at the basket from down low."

Now 4-3, Coach Fynaardt and the Lady Rockets have about a week off before returning to the gym for practice next Monday.

R-U returns to competition on January 5 in a non-league contest against Spalding Catholic on the road in Granville.