By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio
Photo courtesy of Miles Postema
Rockford and Grand Rapids Northview squared off in a Michigan High School Athletic Association quarterfinal at Hudsonville on Tuesday, March 10 before a capacity crowd that got every penny’s worth of their ticket before a winner was decided. When the final buzzer sounded, it was the Rams who emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins 48-47. With the win, Rockford advances to the Division 1 semifinals against Auburn Hills Avondale (who defeated Roseville 71-50). Rockford will bring a record of 23-3 into the contest while the Yellow Jackets will enter the fray at 26-1. Game time is slated for 12:00 P.M. on Friday, March 13 with the winer advancing to the state title tilt at 12:15 P.M. on Saturday against the winner of the East Lansing versus Birmingham Brother Rice contest.
Rockford rallied from a 44-39 deficit late in the final quarter to claim the heart-stopping win. The Bascom brothers (senior Jake and sophomore Josh) were the primary catalysts who spurred the team to the spirited rally. First, it was Jake with back-to-back post moves that made it a 44-43 game with 1:37 to play as the crowd from both sides sat on the edge of their seats in anticipation of what was to come. The Rams then got another stop that set up the go-ahead hoop that gave the Rams a 45-44 lead. It was again the Bascoms who took center stage as Jake drove toward the hoop before dishing the ball off to Josh in front of the rim. Josh rose above the rim and a pair of Wildcat defenders to give the Rams their first lead since early in the second quarter. Another Ram defensive stop gave them the ball back again inside of 25 seconds and Josh was fouled and went to the line for a pair of free throws. Despite having gone 1 for 4 at the line prior to this trip, Josh calmly swished both attempts to give Rockford a 47-44 lead and send the Ram faithful into a full-throated roar.
But the Wildcats got a pair of free throws themselves to make it a 47-46 game with 12 seconds to play. The Rams inbounded the ball to Jake, who was quickly fouled, and he sank the second free throw to give Rockford a 48-46 edge with ten seconds to play. At that juncture, the Rams opted to foul Norhtviews’ runner-up for Mr. Basketball (Cam Ryans) and send him to the line for two free throws. With five seconds remaining, Ryans drained the first before misfiring on the second. After a scrum for the rebound, Northview gained possession and threw up a wild shot that went awry and was grabbed by Ram senior Dylan Gross. Gross fired the ball up court and the final buzzer sounded on the 48-47 Ram victory.
“My brother (Jake) made a great on that shot that put us in front and I just had to lay it in,” said Josh Bascom. “I knew my team needed me to step up on those two free throws and I was just thrilled they went in. I had missed a few shots around the rim earlier and my coaches and teammates just kept encouraging me to keep on playing my game. I am not as healthy as I used to be but I am working hard to get there after my injury before the season. This team is all about group accomplishments and the end result is what we are after. I am just thrilled to be playing another game and reaching a goal we all set before the season of reaching the Breslin.”
Rockford got off to a great start in yet another post season game as they led 19-12 late in the opening quarter. Jake poured in ten first quarter points with his vast array of post moves and the Wildcats seemed at a loss to stop him. But a Ryans running heave at the buzzer for a three-pointer made it 19-15 at the end of the first quarter. That seemed to spur the Wildcats on as they went on an 18-4 run to open up a 30-23 lead. But Rockford freshman Jace Opoku-Agyeman drilled a three that got the Rams within 30-26 at the half.
The second half saw Northview spurt out to a five-point lead on several occasions and the Rams continuously get within one or tie it up on several occasions. Josh Bascom tied it up at 39-39 in the final quarter before a 5-0 Northview run gave them the 44-39 lead that set the stage for the Ram comeback.
“As a staff, we felt like the first team that got to 50 was going to win the game,” said Rockford Head Coach Kyle Clough. “But obviously neither of us ever got there. This was just an incredible game tonight. I mean, this atmosphere tonight is what is right about basketball on this side of the state. The two communities came out and really supported their teams from the get go. I want to take a quick minute to give a shout out to Cam Ryans. He is the ultimate competitor, and not only is he an incredible talent, he leaves it all out there. We have nothing but respect for him and we know he is hurting. We felt that last year too and it is not going to make him feel better right now.”
“What can you say about our team,” continued Clough. “We just had a consistent belief that we were going to find a way to get it done tonight. We just made a couple of big plays late and hit three of four free throws in that environment. We had so many people out here tonight and to see that sea of orange was just thrilling. We just know that same type of enthusiasm will show itself again at the Breslin on Friday.”
