For 24 minutes, the Sparta Bulldogs had Anna-Jonesboro reeling from their high-pressure defense, but in the last eight minutes of the game, AJ was able to switch things up on Sparta and pull out a 56-48 win Friday night.
Sparta led 42-33 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats switched to a half-court trap that resulted in seven turnovers for Sparta and just 2-of-10 shooting in the fourth quarter. AJ outscored the Bulldogs 23-6 over the final eight minutes to steal the win.
“The game changed in the fourth quarter when they (Anna-Jonesboro) went to a half-court trap,” said Sparta coach Rich Williams. “We executed well on offense until then. Our defense was good early, but we let AJ score 40 points on us in the second half. We are a young team, and we are going to make some young mistakes. We also did some good things, but we have to learn how to play a full 32 minutes and close out games.”
Anna-Jonesboro jumped out to an 8-2 lead early in the game behind two three-pointers from 6’4 forward Brady Wright. The Sparta defense picked up its intensity, forcing seven turnovers in the opening quarter as the Bulldogs finished the period with an 8-4 run to trail 12-10 heading into the second quarter.
Sparta took control of the game in the second quarter. Orlando Oliver finished the quarter with five points, including a three-pointer that started a 10-0 Sparta scoring run.
Aaron Rushing set the tone defensively for the Bulldogs with three blocks in the quarter, as Sparta outscored Anna-Jonesboro 14-4 for a 24-16 halftime advantage. The Wildcats were 0-for-13 from the floor with all four of their points coming from the free throw line.
After a 10-2 scoring run early in the third quarter, Sparta’s lead was 16, 34-18. Rushing was huge for the Bulldogs scoring 10 points in the quarter. Anna-Jonesboro went to its long-range shooting to cut the deficit, making three three-pointers to trail 42-33 heading into the fourth.
AJ’s half-court trap gave Sparta trouble immediately in the fourth. The Bulldogs committed five turnovers on its first seven possessions, while AJ scored the first 10 points of the quarter to claim a 43-42 lead with 5:37 to play in the game.
The Wildcats would roll through the fourth quarter, scoring on 12-of-16 possessions to clinch the eight-point win, 56-48.
Wright finished with 20 points to lead AJ, while Rushing had 17 to pace the Bulldogs.