By Matt M. Stutz
What a way for Rockets players Jake Maag and Derek Maag to celebrate their senior night at the Pandora-Gilboa Launch Pad: the Rockets overwhelmed Fort Jennings in Putnam County League boys basketball action, 63-40, on February 11. With the win, P-G finished the regular season undefeated on the home floor.
Senior Jake Maag got the evening started for the Rockets, scoring the first bucket off a rebound with a right-hand put-back. From that point on, P-G never trailed. Jake would finish his final game in front of the home crowd in double figures, scoring 10 points.
The Rockets pulled ahead 20-6 after one quarter of action, as Derek Maag got hot, knocking down three 3-pointers in the opening quarter. Derek would stay hot all game, canning six 3-pointers and earning game high scoring honors with 22 points.
P-G extended their advantage to 37-18 at the halftime break.
The Rockets led by as much as 30 in the second half and led 54-29 heading into the fourth quarter, as P-G cleared their bench over the final eight minutes.
Brothers Colin and Aidan Harris would both total 9 points in the win. Nate Maag chipped in with 5 points off the bench while Aidan Morris and Zach Neuenschwander each hit a bucket and a free throw for their 3 points a-piece. Owen Huffman scored the final points for P-G with his 2 point shot.
Since J. Maag made his first shot of the night for the Rockets on senior night, it would only be fitting if classmate D. Maag make his final shot at home for the Rockets. Which he did, a three-pointer, as the crowd chanted “Thank. You. Seniors!”
The Rockets (17-4, 7-2 BVC, 4-2 PCL) will play their season finale this Thursday Feb. 16, traveling to Continental for a Putnam County League match. P-G will then turn their attention to tournament play as the #4 seed in the Division IV Elida District.
