Rapid River Tops Engadine In District Opener  The Rapid River High School boys basketball team opened the post-season Monday with a workmanlike 68-50 win over the Engadine Eagles. Sophomore Jake Pearson scored 26 points to lead the way for the Rockets (12-9). Senior Connor Frisch led Engadine (3-18) with 18 points, including four three's, all in the second half. The two teams were tied at 17 in the second quarter when the Rockets went on a 9-0 run to take control. The lead grew to 33-22 at the half, and 53-37 in the fourth quarter. Frisch made three three's to bring Engadine to within 54-45, but the Rockets put it away as Pearson and Riley Pajnick scored three-point plays. Darell Kohli had 11 points and Travis Froberg chipped in eight off the bench. "I just tried to get out in transition," Pearson said. "That's where I got most of my points. The guards did a great job, Darrell (Kohli) always does a good job, along with Zack (Pavlat) and Bergie (Jake Berglund). Engadine's a tough team." "We had a lead, but never had that comfortable lead," Rockets Coach Craig Carter said. "We'd get up by 12 or 14, then they'd come back to within nine or eight. I knew that this was a game that we could not take lightly." WATCH ROCKETS vs EAGLES VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS CLICK HERE  to see Rapid's Zack Pavlat streak to the hoop for two. CLICK HERE  to see Rapid's Jake Pearson get a rebound and hoop. CLICK HERE  to see Rapid's Hayden Hardwick bury a three-pointer. CLICK HERE  to see Rapid's Darrell Kohli bury a three-pointer. CLICK HERE  to see Engadine's Jeff Bomber score an inside basket. CLICK HERE  to see Engadine's Mike Ramelis score a jumper. Pictured above: Jake Pearson grabs a rebound as teammate Travis Froberg (5) also jumps for the rebound. Below: Rocket captain Darrell Kohli dribbles as Engadine's Lester Livermore defends. (Paul Brunngraeber photos and videos) CLICK HERE  for the playoff schedule/results for all of the U.P. teams.

Rockets Use Strong 2nd Half To Stop Mid Pen                        The Rapid River Rockets shook off a sluggish first half and beat the Mid Peninsula Wolverines, 62-37, Monday on Senior Night in Rapid River. The Rockets (11-5) led just 24-17 at halftime, but they picked it up in the second half and clinched a winning season for first-year Coach Eric Lundin. Heather Sanderson had 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Kelly Bintner had 13 points and 14 steals. Taylor Bintner scored 12 points and Ashleigh Monticello had 11 points and nine steals. Mid Peninsula (4-12) got 17 points from Krysta Van Damme and Hunter Branstrom added nine points off the bench. Pictured above left: Rapid River's Taylor Bintner (12) drives to the basket Monday night. Pictured above right: Rapid River's Heather Sanderson squeezes between Mid Pen's Hunter Branstrom (42) and Ashley Demeuse. WATCH ROCKETS vs WOLVERINES VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS CLICK HERE to see Rapid River's Kaylee Judson nail a three-point basket. CLICK HERE  to see Mid Peninsula's Hunter Branstrom score on the baseline. CLICK HERE  to see Rapid River's Taylor Bintner nail a three-point basket. CLICK HERE  to see Mid Peninsula's Krysta Van Damme score on the inside. CLICK HERE  to see Rapid River's Ashleigh Monticello score a driving layup.                   Rapid River's seven seniors were honored during a pre-game ceremony Monday night.

Rockets Sweep Big Bay In District Opener, 3-0                          The Rapid River Rockets opened the district tournament with an easy 3-0 win over the Big Bay Lady Bears Monday in Rapid River. The scores were 25-9, 25-15, 25-13. At one point in the third set, Rapid River's Heather Sanderson scored on 14 straight points. The Rockets will host Superior Central in the district semifinals Wednesday night at 7:00. Pictured above: Janelle Roberts (2) smacks the ball as Ashley Hough (8) watched.