Lady Rockets Continue
Their Winning Ways
By Megan Harvey

Rochester’s Iron five Junior Varsity team put on a show Friday night as they won on the road against Sharon. Coach Krystal Clarke guided the rockets to a 34-24 victory. Caitlin Cutting led the Rockets with 16 points and 10 steals. Megan Pratt added 10 points for her team. Both Sarah Lanpher and Missy Greenslit put on a defensive show with 13 rebounds a piece. Amanda Bowen added to the defensive pressure by forcing many turnovers.

Rochester’s Varsity girls six player roster followed the Junior Varsity lead and defeated The Sharon Academy 41-35. Even though the first quarter was rough for the Rockets, the second quarter was the start of a new game.

To fire up the Rockets, Captain Sam Cutting put in a quick two point shot, followed by sinking one beyond the arc. This got the Rockets rolling on a 16-0 run. Erica Parker was on fire at both ends of the court, helping offensively with her power rebounding and disrupting the Phoenix offense. Rochester headed into the locker room at half-time leading 23-19 a led that they would never give up.

The Rockets came out strong in the second half where Desiree Bourassa forced a turnover with a quick steal and down court pass to Midori Cruikshank, who powered up for two points. Libby White supported her team in her defensive efforts. The Rockets were able to hold back the Phoenix sure with two clutch free throws by Parker at the end of the third period.

Cutting, the Rockets lead scorer with 15 points, jump started the offense again in the fourth quarter with two consecutive baskets. Cruikshank continued to play strong under the boards at both ends with six rebounds in the second half. Parker chipped in 11 points, while Sam Mishkit added 10.

Win Over Cabot

The Rockets tamed the Cabot Huskies on Saturday afternoon as they used a strong fourth quarter to pull away 40-30. Cruikshank controlled the boards in the first quarter. After a slow start, the Rockets regained their focus in the second quarter. Heather Gorton, who was battling the flu, came of the bench and overwhelmed Cabot’s offense with her unrelenting defensive pressure. The Rockets went into the break with with a 25-17 lead.

Following an even third quarter, Cutting boosted the rockets once again in the fourth quarter with six unanswered points, finishing with 15. Mishkit chipped in 13 points of her own as well.

Another Win Over TSA

Tuesday night, The Sharon Academy traveled the road to Rochester hoping to rebound against the loss from last Friday night, only to get shut down again. Rochester took an easy 18-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Sharon couldn’t keep up against the rockets relentless press. The half ended with Rochester ahead 33-19.

All eight Rochester players saw plenty of playing time. Mishkit ended the game with 18 points and Cutting scored another 15. The final score was 63-38.

It was a slow start for the Rochester girls last Tuesday when they visited the Chelsea Red Devils. After trailing 10-5 at the end of the first quarter, Rochester kicked up the level of intensity and outscored the Red Devils 12-0 in the second quarter. After losing Senior Captain Jody Martin to an injury in the second quarter, Rochester had to adjust its plan.

Cruikshank came off the bench and stepped up to the challenge by scoring six points. During the fourth quarter, Rochester found its flow and pulled away with the final score of 51-38. Heather Gorton hit the rebounds hard with 7 boards and she forced 5 turnovers. Lead scorers for the Rockets were Cutting with 15 points, and Mishkit with 14 points.

47-27 Win Over Concord

Saturday morning the Rochester Ladies rode the two and a half hour bus trip up to the Concord Wildcat’s gym. The ride was longest for Captain Jody Martin, whose injury forced her to coach and cheer her team on from the sidelines.

Mishkit got the Rockets started with two baskets in the first quarter. Gorton had two quick steals that she passed down the court to her teammates. Erica Parker contributed to the cause with focused rebounding with six boards in the first half. Sarah Lanpher, in her first varsity game, showed off her impressive rebounding abilities. The Rockets headed to the locker room at the half-time buzzer leading the Wildcats, 20-12.

Cutting came out shooting in the second half, leading her own 5-0 run. Caitlin Cutting and Desiree Bourassa both added beyond the arc shots to help the Rockets to a 47-27 win.

Lead scorers for Rochester were Mishkit with 19 points, and S. Cutting putting in 12.

Rochester’s next game is Saturday, Jan. 27, against Poultney at home.

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