Rockets need to shake losing seasons

The Forrest Rockets have had some bad luck the past couple of seasons, winning just 11 games and going 5-19 in district contests over the last two years.

On top of that, the Rockets bitter rival, Moore County has bounced the Rockets from the district tournament play-in game the last three seasons including a controversial two-point loss last season.

Despite winning just six games last year, the Rockets lost a heartbreaking 10 games by seven points or less, including losses to 1A sectional participants Community by one point and Huntland by four points.

The Rockets had a brutal stretch from November 26 to December 13 with six straight losses to Cascade (five points), Perry County (seven points), Fayetteville (six points), Middle Tennessee Christian (three points), Unionville (12 points), and Summertown (four points).

Forrest has not made it out of the district tournament since the 2013-14 season when the Rockets upset everyone to claim the tournament title despite a 6-6 regular season conference record.

The Rockets have not made a sectional appearance since 1997.

The road to tournament glory might not be any easier as the Rockets make the jump to District 12-AA which features perennial powerhouses Marshall County and Giles County.

Forrest makes the jump with district rival Community as former rival Cascade drops back down to 1A and former 12-AA regulars Page and Spring Hill move up to 3A.

But the Rockets are not without plenty of firepower to make the move.

Senior Jacob Rich offers a sharp stroke from downtown along with a strong driving game.

Rich erupted for 24 points at Mount Pleasant, 23 points in a win over Perry County, and 19 points in the near upset versus Middle Tennessee Christian.

Rich's back court partner, Ryley McClaran is another outside sharpshooter with a natural touch from downtown.

McClaran is a natural at ball control and finding the open man on the drive.

The sophomore is also capable of dropping lots of points like the 23 points against Middle Tennessee Christian, 22 points versus Fayetteville, and 17 against Eagleville.

Another hot-shooting, driving, and scoring guard is junior Ty Hengesbach who exploded for 27 points against region champion Huntland and 23 points versus Moore County.

Spencer McCown and Cole Villazon will both offer depth at the guard position and will be counted on later in the year for increased productivity.

On the inside the Rockets will count on Mitchell Everett, Martin Stewart, Sam Ford, and Dylan Watt.

Martin, at 6’4, offers the most height, but will need to bulk up to make more of an impact.

Everett and Ford are undersized at the post position, but make up for the lack of height with hustle and heart.

Ford is the scorer of the two, scoring 16 points against Middle Tennessee Christian and 10 in the win over Fayetteville, while Everett has a nice mid-range corner shot and will be counted on more to grab rebounds and bang with the opponent's bigs.

2017 Forrest Rockets

Seniors

30 Jacob Rich

52 Dylan Watt

4 Tucker McNair

Juniors

5 Ty Hengesbach

24 Sam Ford

32 Martin Stewart

22 Mitchell Everette

Sophomores

10 Ryley McClaran

20 Cameron Curtis

23 Lofton Yeager

12 Joel Burton

Freshmen

2 Cole Perryman

40 Joseph Whitaker

34 CJ Sanchez

Schedule

Thursday, Nov. 16 at Loretto (HOF) L 92-62

Saturday, Nov. 18 East Nashville (HOF) L 93-47

Monday, Nov. 20 at Lincoln County L 59-49

Wednesday, Nov. 22 Summertown (Forrest Thanksgiving Tournament) L 67-40

Saturday, Nov. 25 Loretto (Forrest Thanksgiving Tournament) L 59-38

Thursday, Nov. 30 at Perry County L 65-61

Friday, December 1 at Lewis County L 60-44

Tuesday, December 5 McEwen L 55-54

Friday, December 8 at Summertown

Monday, December 11 Lincoln County

Friday, December 15 Lewis County

Tuesday, December 19 at Cascade

Friday, December 22 Cheatham County

Thursday, December 28 Houston County (10 a.m.-Summertown Christmas Classic)

Friday, December 29 Moore County (6 p.m.-Summertown Christmas Classic)

Tuesday, January 9 Giles County (D)

Friday, January 12 Nolensville (D)

Tuesday, January 16 Marshall County (D)

Friday, January 19 at Community (D)

Tuesday, January 23 at Murfreesboro Central Magnet (D)

Friday, January 26 at Giles County (D)

Tuesday, January 30 at Nolensville (D)

Friday, February 2 at Marshall County (D)

Saturday, February 3 Perry County

Tuesday, February 6 Community

Friday, February 9 Murfreesboro Central Magnet

February 12-19 District 5AA Tournament

February 23-28 Region 6AA Tournament

March 3 State Sectionals

March 7-10 State Tournament