On Tuesday night the Spartans were looking to snap a three game losing streak. The Spartans found themselves back at Historic Briggs Gymnasium after what seemed like an eternity. The only thing standing between the boys and a win was the top ranked team in the Tri-Metro Conference, the Blake Bears. Led by 6'4 junior Kebu Johnson, the Bears had been beating everybody in their way, even upsetting highly favored DeLaSalle on their home court. The Spartans would not be scared however and they would rise to the occasion against one of their most hated rivals.
The game began immediately with a high pace which allowed the Spartans to jump to an early lead. Eighth grader Dalante "the Chosen One" Peyton could not be stopped.The beast within him was unleashed and he drained three after three after three to finish the first half tying his career high 19 points (he would finish the night with 27 points and 10 boards).The kid became a man before our very eyes and just a reminder, he's only in eighth grade and he owned one of the best teams in the league. However Peyton's phenomenal play was not the only news in the first half, as the Spartans were seen playing smarter basketball than they had been in a while, regardless of being short of key forward Connor Allen who is out with a knee injury. The guys shared the ball and did not force passes. They kept moving the ball until they found the open shot and this strategy worked perfectly. The high powered Blake offense however held their own in the shooting game and was able to go into the half with a lead.
The second half saw the Spartans slowly narrow the Bear lead with exceptional team play. The Spartans persevered and never gave up until they were able to find a way back in. The determination was there like never before and it payed off when junior captain Spencer "Spegly" Egly was able to work his way down the court and lay in the tying shot. 49-49. The team was fired up and continued to play with more passion and tenacity that they had since the first couple games of the season.
Unfortunately though the Bears proved to be mentally tough as well and closed it out. The Blake Bears won the game but as cheesy as it sounds the Spartans got a moral victory. They played hard and fought until the end. The team has been re-energized and is now on the right track playing the way they should have been for a while. The loss will sting but there is no shame. The next few weeks look bright for the Spartans who can only continue to improve.
The next stop for the boys will be against Brooklyn Center High school on Friday night. It smells like its time for a W....
GO SPARTANS!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Blowout City
On Tuesday night the Spartans played host to Community of Peace Academy after having fallen to St. Croix Lutheran on Friday night. The loss was a disappointing one for the Spartans because their shots simply did not fall for and they were not able to capitalize on their many offensive chances. The team was looking to put that experience behind them and was hungry for a morale boosting victory.
With their mind set solely on the game, the Spartans were able to put on a dominating performance much like the one against "rivals" MPA. The Spartans were much more talented that the other squad but also played very smart. The teamwork provided the Spartans with an early boost that allowed for everyone on the team to receive some playing time.
Dalante "the Chosen One" Peyton showed once again that he is not your average eighth grader. He has gotten more and more comfortable as the young season has gone on and is evolving into being an all around player. The Chosen One provided his teammates with open looks, took a few of his own money-balls and rebounded the air out of the ball last night. With hard work he is growing right before our very eyes and gives this program and the SPA community as a whole something to look forward to.
The game saw good contributions again from the three captains and CJ "the Panda" Whitaker came off the bench to provide sparks of exceptional counter attacks for the Spartans. The night was a also a very memorable one for junior captain Spencer "Spegly" Egly who while going up for a drive in the second half hit the deck hard and had to be taken away from the game. He mislead the crowd into believing it was nothing by standing up straight away but had to be escorted away when blood was seen above his eye. Luckily though Spegly was stitched up and should be able to play on Friday as long as he wears a mask.
Sophomore Connor Allen put on another solid performance and showed that he is one of the most dynamic players in the league, much like his distant relative Ray Allen.
The game ended 69-30 in favor of the Spartans. On Friday the boys will travel across the river to take on the Minnehaha Redhawks in a section preview game which promises to be a thriller. Go Spartans!
With their mind set solely on the game, the Spartans were able to put on a dominating performance much like the one against "rivals" MPA. The Spartans were much more talented that the other squad but also played very smart. The teamwork provided the Spartans with an early boost that allowed for everyone on the team to receive some playing time.
Dalante "the Chosen One" Peyton showed once again that he is not your average eighth grader. He has gotten more and more comfortable as the young season has gone on and is evolving into being an all around player. The Chosen One provided his teammates with open looks, took a few of his own money-balls and rebounded the air out of the ball last night. With hard work he is growing right before our very eyes and gives this program and the SPA community as a whole something to look forward to.
The game saw good contributions again from the three captains and CJ "the Panda" Whitaker came off the bench to provide sparks of exceptional counter attacks for the Spartans. The night was a also a very memorable one for junior captain Spencer "Spegly" Egly who while going up for a drive in the second half hit the deck hard and had to be taken away from the game. He mislead the crowd into believing it was nothing by standing up straight away but had to be escorted away when blood was seen above his eye. Luckily though Spegly was stitched up and should be able to play on Friday as long as he wears a mask.
Sophomore Connor Allen put on another solid performance and showed that he is one of the most dynamic players in the league, much like his distant relative Ray Allen.
The game ended 69-30 in favor of the Spartans. On Friday the boys will travel across the river to take on the Minnehaha Redhawks in a section preview game which promises to be a thriller. Go Spartans!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Domination
Last night the Spartans traveled to Maplewood, Minnesota to take on the Mounds Park Academy Panthers. The Spartans were looking to bounce back from a dissapointing Fridley Holiday Tournament performance and looking for their fourth win on the young season. The Panthers on the other hand were very hungry for a win after having dropped the last three editions of the so called rivalry. However they would remain hungry because the Spartans would go hard from the get go. The Spartans made sure to make the trip worthwhile for the most feared fan section in the Upper Midwest; Mckenzie's Frenzy. And nobody would be disapointed.
The Spartans jumped out to a big lead early on thanks to great defense. Senior Captain CJ "the Panda" Whitaker lead by example as he constantly turned defense into offense for the Spartans. One of the highlights of the half was Sophomore Connor "Ricky Bobby" Alllen stealing a ball and going coast to coast with a styling lay in at the other end. The boys were productive and made the most of their chances while they made sure not much happened on the other side of the court. The Panthers were held to an embarrassing 8 points at the half.
The second half saw the Spartans keep their foot firmly held on the gas. Everybody in the lineup got a chance to play and everybody worked as hard as possible. Junior Captain Josh "Slim Shady" Gray epitomized the values of this program when he sacrificied his body and dove for various loose balls. The Spartans continued to simply dominate. Eighth grade sensation Dalante "the Chosen One" Peyton drilled three after three after three. He ended up with 19 points on the night and was 5 for 6 from three point range.
Another all around good performance for the Spartans who are now 4-2. On Friday they will take on the famous St. Croix Liars of West St. Paul in an important conference affair. The game will be played at Historic Briggs Gymnasium and it is the annual Coaches vs Cancer event. Donations of 5 dollars will be accepted for admission. Come cheer your Spartans on as they look for their fifth straight conference win!
The Spartans jumped out to a big lead early on thanks to great defense. Senior Captain CJ "the Panda" Whitaker lead by example as he constantly turned defense into offense for the Spartans. One of the highlights of the half was Sophomore Connor "Ricky Bobby" Alllen stealing a ball and going coast to coast with a styling lay in at the other end. The boys were productive and made the most of their chances while they made sure not much happened on the other side of the court. The Panthers were held to an embarrassing 8 points at the half.
The second half saw the Spartans keep their foot firmly held on the gas. Everybody in the lineup got a chance to play and everybody worked as hard as possible. Junior Captain Josh "Slim Shady" Gray epitomized the values of this program when he sacrificied his body and dove for various loose balls. The Spartans continued to simply dominate. Eighth grade sensation Dalante "the Chosen One" Peyton drilled three after three after three. He ended up with 19 points on the night and was 5 for 6 from three point range.
Another all around good performance for the Spartans who are now 4-2. On Friday they will take on the famous St. Croix Liars of West St. Paul in an important conference affair. The game will be played at Historic Briggs Gymnasium and it is the annual Coaches vs Cancer event. Donations of 5 dollars will be accepted for admission. Come cheer your Spartans on as they look for their fifth straight conference win!
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