The 2023-2024 Okawville Rocket basketball season has begun! This year, the Rockets are led by head coach Ryan Heck and assistant coaches Cameron Obermeier, Payten Harre, and Ethan Reichmann. This year’s varsity players are Rylan Nelson (senior), Bennett Krohne (senior), Aidan Anderson (junior), John Schaller (junior), Calvin Maynard (junior), Parker Weise (junior), Reid Heimann (junior), Thor Gavin (junior), Ryker Obermeier (sophomore), Landon Shubert (sophomore), Braylen Turner (freshman), and Zayden Cepeda (freshman).
To start their season, the Rockets played in the annual Kaskaskia Classic tournament hosted by Carlyle High School. Their first game was Saturday, November 25th against the Pinckneyville Panthers. The first quarter started very fast and physically. The Panthers’ defense was very tough to combat for Okawville, but the Rockets prevailed and kept their opponent within five points for most of the first half. As the game continued to the second, the game intensity stayed elevated, with each team fighting for victory. At the end of the first half, the Rockets trailed the Panthers 25-20. As the second half started, the Panthers came out very hot; they could not miss a shot. The Rockets continued to fight back, but through the third and fourth quarters, the Panthers started pulling away. The Rockets ended up falling to the Panthers, 60-44. The Rockets were now 0-1 in the tournament, as well as in their season.
For their second game in the tournament, the Rockets faced the Flora Timberwolves on Tuesday, November 28th. The game started very even; both teams were answering each other’s intensity. As the half progressed, the Rockets started to gain a lead, and by the end of it, the Rockets were up 23-15. The Rockets continued to build a lead in the third quarter, and into the fourth. At the start of the fourth quarter, Okawville was up 35-27. Flora came out very strong and was determined to take back the lead. They came out making a lot of their shots, and the Rockets could not seem to stop them. The Timberwolves continued to build momentum, so much so that they were even able to regain the lead. The Rockets were defeated 47-41.
Okawville’s third game in the tournament was against the Woodlawn Cardinals on Friday, December 1st. Both teams, with records of 0-2, went into this game yearning for their first victory. Woodlawn started the contest off very hot. The Rockets kept up, but the Cardinals were hitting all of their shots. At the end of the first, Okawville trailed 17-12. In the second quarter, Okawville started gaining momentum. With a three by Landon Shubert to beat the buzzer, the Rockets were up 34-27 at the half. The Cardinals were then able to outscore the Rockets in the third quarter, making it 43-40 in the Rockets’ favor. Woodlawn was able to carry their momentum over to the fourth quarter, but the Rockets overcame it and were able to win 50-49. With this win, the Rockets moved to 1-2 and were set to play SIUE Charter for fifth place.
On Saturday, December 2nd, the Rockets faced off against the Cougars. The contest started very close. The Cougars’ defense was very physical, which kept the Rockets from getting momentum. At the end of the first quarter, the Cougars led the Rockets, 15-8. A few minutes into the second quarter, the Cougars went on a 6-0 run, which made Okawville call a timeout. After a few adjustments, the Rockets came back with a 16-3 run of their own to end the half. The score at the half was 30-26 with Okawville on top. The Rockets carried this momentum into the third quarter, but the Cougars fought back and lessened their opponent’s lead by two points. Heading into the fourth, Okawville was up 40-38. Even though the Cougars were starting to make a comeback, the Rockets shut this out with some very clutch free throws late in the fourth quarter. The Rockets secured the victory over the SIUE Charter Cougars with a score of 58-47. Aidan Anderson had a very notable performance, having 29 points and 17 rebounds.
With this win, the Rockets secured the fifth-place title, with a record of 2-2 in the tournament/season. Aidan Anderson had an outstanding tournament, so much so that he acquired the achievement of being named to the all-tournament team. Athletes on the all-tournament team consisted of players who stood out to the coaches and were voted on by them. Okawville is very proud of Aidan; congratulations to him and the rest of the Rockets for a great representation of Okawville athletics.
