In a game of offensive scoring spurts, Sparta used 14-0 run to end the game to claim a 60-42 victory over Steeleville Tuesday night.
The pesky Sparta defense forced Steeleville into 19 turnovers including eight in the opening quarter. But it was Steeleville’s poor free throw shooting that proved to be the difference. The Warriors made just 4-of-15 from the line, while Sparta made 14-of-17.
“It definitely looked like the first game of the year for us,” said new Steeleville coach Gerald Mumbower. “We were throwing the ball all over the gym. I liked our team’s effort though. They played hard and played decent defense against a good and fast team.”
While Steeleville fell to 0-1 in front of its home fans, Sparta improved to 2-0 on the season with the 18-point win.
“We played a little sluggish at times tonight,” said new Sparta coach Rich Williams. “We didn’t guard with as much tenacity as we did against Marissa, but we rebounded much better.”
Sparta built a 10-2 first quarter lead behind five points from Dartanus White and four points from Wes Kiner. Steeleville opened the game going 1-for-5 from the field with five turnovers as the team found itself down by eight points with 3:12 to play in the first quarter.
The Warriors found its offensive groove late in the quarter and finished off the period with a 9-2 scoring run to trail just 12-11. White finished the period with seven points, while Colin Smith had five points and Andrew Pokrzywinski tossed in four for Steeleville.
The Warriors used a 9-5 run to take control of the game, leading 20-17. However, Steeleville finished the half by going 0-for-6 from the field with four turnovers.
Sparta took advantage of Steeleville’s scoring drought and finished off the half with a 7-0 scoring run to lead 24-20 at halftime. Kiner continued his good post play by adding six points in the quarter for the Bulldogs. Smith had seven points in the frame for Steeleville.
Sparta went on several offensive scoring runs in the third period including a 14-4 run for a 40-29 advantage after a traditional three-point play by London Oliver. Oliver and David Sams each had five points during the run to spark the Bulldogs.
As was the case with every previous Sparta spurt, Steeleville answered. The Warriors ended the third quarter with a 6-0 run to trail just 40-35 heading into the fourth quarter. Pokrzywinski had six points in the frame for Steeleville, while Smith added five.
White took over in the fourth as he scored 10 of his game high 22 points in the final eight minutes. Despite White’s heroics, Steeleville still trailed just 46-42 after five consecutive points by Nick Potter.
However, it would be all Sparta the rest of the way as the Bulldogs closed out the game with the 14-0 run.
“This was a hard fought, good competitive high school basketball game,” added Williams. “Both teams hustled and never gave up. I think our depth played a role late in the game. I feel very good about the team’s bench. That is one of our goals, play a lot of people. We still have some things to work out, but I am proud of the way this team battled.”
“I think Sparta’s depth really wore us down,” said Mumbower. “We are not real deep right now, but that has to change. We have to be able to play more players. We need to get some more kids ready to face tough pressure. Colin and Andrew along with Nick all played well. We need them to continue playing like they did tonight. Coire Reel also played very well for us on the boards considering this was his first real taste of varsity ball.”
Kiner finished with 17 points and Sams added nine to pace the Bulldogs.
Smith had 16 points, while Pokrzywinski added 12 and Potter finished with seven.