Rockridge Returns To Sweet 16

Rockridge (26-4) pulled away in the second half to beat Rock Falls (17-18) 66-46 in the semifinals of the IHSA 2A Orion Sectional Wednesday.

Rock Falls went on a 7-0 run late in the second quarter to cut a 25-14 deficit to 25-21, but Jase Whiteman buried his sixth three-pointer of the first half at the buzzer to put Rockridge ahead 28-21 at halftime. Whiteman finished with 25 points and seven three-pointers. Landon Bull scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half. Bull also grabbed 13 rebounds in the win.

The Rockets advance to the Sectional Championship game Friday to play Princeton (32-2). Princeton was ranked 4th in the final AP poll of the season, while Rockridge was the seventh-ranked team at the end of the regular season.

The location of the championship game has been moved from Orion High School to Geneseo High School due to the expected turn-out. Tip-off is 7 p.m., Friday. Pre-game coverage begins at 6 p.m. on WRMJ.