Rochester Rockets Blast Off
By Megan Harvey

Rockettes Erica Parker wrestles with Proctor for the loose ball in the MVL/CVL Challenge held at VTC. (Herald / Joyce Hunt)

Senior co-captains Jody Martin and Sam Cutting lead this year’s Rocket-powered Rochester girl’s basketball team. Joining them are seniors Heather Gorton, Erica Parker, and Libby White; juniors Sam Mishkit and Desiree Bourassa; sophomore Midori Cruikshank and freshman Caitlin Cutting. Julie Martin returns as varsity coach for her fourth year (and she has actually coached many of these players for the past eight years). New to the coaching team is assistant coach, Jeff Mills; co-managers are Molly and Megan Harvey.

Win over Proctor

The Rocket women hosted the Proctor Phantoms at VTC Monday night in the first game of the MVL/CVL Challenge tournament. Ahead at the half, 20-18, Rochester pulled through at the end, winning 50-37.

Jody Martin led the Rockets with 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine steals. Sam Mishkit tossed in another 15 points and had 10 rebounds. Rochester’s next game is Wednesday night versus Black River for the second half of the MVL/CVL tournament.

Big Win over Twinfield

Rochester traveled to Twinfield on Saturday and came away with their first win in Trojan territory in over six years, defeating Twinfield 47-38. Heather Gorton ended a defense-minded first quarter with a spectacular reverse layup under the basket and the score 6-5 in Rochester’s favor.

The second quarter saw the Rockets power their way into the lead with an 18-6 run that was capped at the closing buzzer by Erica Parker’s three-point shot. Twinfield pulled within three points by the end of the third quarter but Rochester muscled its way to a win in the fourth with a score of 47-38. Mishkit led all scorers with 18 points, with Martin pumping in another 12.

Past Games

Sam Cutting had the hot hand against South Royalton on December 13, scoring 19 points but it wasn’t enough as the Royals beat the Rockets 52-48.

Rochester overwhelmed the less experienced Poultney Blue Devils on December 11, with a swarming defense and a great deal of intensity. The Rockets came away with a 68-19 win. Martin had a whopper of a night with 25 points and 18 rebounds. Mishkit added another 18 points.

At the annual Stub Stearns Beanpot Challenge, Rochester blasted past Whitcomb, winning the game with the final score of 43-17. Mishkit tossed in 22 points to lead the Rockets in their first win of the season.

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