The Rockridge Rockets held off a fourth quarter rally by Rockford Lutheran to secure a 57-52 victory Monday night at the IHSA Class 2A Sterling Super-Sectional. The Rockets closed out the first half on a 17-2 run to lead 29-19 at halftime. Rockridge opened up their biggest lead of the game in the third quarter at 45-26. The Crusaders scored the last four points of the third quarter to cut the lead to 45-33 heading to the fourth quarter. The lead shrunk to 53-50 with 2:05 remaining but the Rockets were able to hold on for a trip to state.
Jase Whiteman had a huge night for Rockridge with a game high 30 points as he knocked down 7 of 12 three point shot attempts. Rockridge improves to 27-6 and will meet Monticello (30-3) in the state semi-finals Thursday afternoon at 2:30. It is Rockridge’s first return to the state finals since back-to-back trips in 2015 and 2016. WRMJ will broadcast the game with Monticello.