The Rockford Area Rockets, co-champions of the Wright County-West Conference this season, saw their valid aspirations for a state tournament berth come to an end when Annandale beat them 50-46 in the Sub-Section 5AA-West championship game last night. The Rockets had a terrific 23-6 season, which included an 11-3 mark in their conference; they shared the title this year with Annandale.
This is Rockford’s first year in the Wright County Conference after being a member of the Central Minnesota Conference. They are coached by Michael Tauber, a former Division II basketball player at the University of Minnesota-Morris.
Annandale (24-6) advances to the Section 5AA championship to face Breck for a chance to go to state. Annandale has gone to state each of the past three seasons, finishing as Class 2A state runners-up in 2014.
Melrose Area, the Class 2A champions in 2015, saw their outstanding conference championship season come to an end in the Sub-Section 6AA-West finals when the No. 2-seeded Albany Huskies beat them 67-59.
Click here to read more about the Dutchmen, who finished 26-3 this year.