Rochester boys basketball led at the end of the first quarter but couldn’t sustain momentum in a 54-35 loss to Newport, Oregon in the consolation bracket of the Seaside Holiday Classic on Saturday in Seaside, Oregon.
“Great first quarter,” Rochester coach Derrick Pringle said. “Our defense switched from zone to man and matched up well.”
But the Warriors began forcing the ball in the second quarter and trailed by as much as 12 before gaining a couple steals and fastbreaks to trail by eight at the half.
“In the second half, we fell apart with some dysfunctional attitudes and play,” Pringle said. “We lost focus.”
Larenz Payne scored a team-high 10 points, Carson Rotter added seven and Tyler Klatush finished with six.
Rochester (2-8) hosts Class 1A Elma on Dec. 28.
