After struggling to finish the game on Tuesday night against the Franklin Rebels, the Rockets looked to bounce back in a pair of Hall of Fame games at Houston County High School in Erin, TN.  After battling traffic along the interstate on the way to the game, Forrest finally arrived to battle the home Houston County Irish. 

With both teams trading baskets early in the game, it was not until the second period when Forrest took a 7 point lead into the half.  

"I feel like the first four minutes of the second half are the most important in the game," Coach Hobbs commented. "Those are the minutes that you can see if your adjustments made at the half were correct, and really bring a new energy to the game." 

The Rockets came out connecting on several three pointers as they worked the ball around nicely versus the Houston County zone.  This quality shooting allowed the Rockets to take a 13 point lead into the final period.  Coach Hobbs and Coach Toombs were able to watch the Rocket intensity continue as Forrest outscored Houston County by 16 points in the 4th quarter to take a 70-41 victory.  All players for the Rockets were able to contribute and they were led in scoring by Marshall Hunter's 25, and Mark Pope's 18. 

In the night cap, the Rockets played a Double A opponent in Hickman County.  The Bulldogs brought a physical brand of basketball that the Rockets were forced to match throughout the game.  Both teams started slow offensively and it was obvious that a defensive battle was about to ensue.   

A very low scoring first quarter was followed by a very low scoring second quarter and the Rockets led 19-13 at the break. 

"I was pleased with our defense in this game,"Coach Hobbs continued, "but some of the shots that were falling for us in the first game, wouldn't go our way in this one." 

The Rockets continued to push ahead and led by as many as 13 in the second half, before Hickman County came roaring back.  A basket late in the fourth quarter closed the gap to two and left the Rockets scrambling.  Coach Hobbs used a timeout to settle the Rockets down, and after a few key stops the team was able to hold on to a 46-41 victory.  Marshall Hunter led all scorers again with 18 points (6 three pointers).

The Rockets will travel to Cornersville on Tuesday night before three games in the Forrest Thanksgiving Tourney at the end of the week. Please check back to Forresthoops.com for coverage on this four game week.