After two solid wins, the Boys’ Hoop squad anticipate the decision of the Selection Committee for the playoffs
On Thursday, February 16th, the TJ Spartans beat Denver South 56-45 with a strong offensive output from forward Eric Andres who had 14 points and four offensive rebounds.
Photo by Ed Gloor
“You always want to win the Senior night,” said Head Coach Grant Laman. “But as a team, we really needed the win.” TJ had five seniors honored; Jordan Roland, Ahmed Adam, Nathan Brewer, SirMichael Boston, and Antonio Clark. TJ started strong and held a two point lead after the first quarter at a score of 19-17. The Spartans kept their ground in the second quarter as a defensive unit, but ended the half with a one point deficit after South made a full court heave to end the quarter and give the Rebels a 32-31 lead.
“I didn’t tell the guys anything about the shot at the half,” said Laman. “They actually had a players-only meeting and were pretty riled up when I got in there and I made sure they just played a good game.” TJ played an excellent game in the second half, by out-rebounding the Rebels by double figures and making 90% of their free throws down the stretch. “Part of our advantage might actually be the adversity we have faced this season,” said Laman. “We have the better team chemistry aspect.”
TJ then faced Denver North on Friday, February 17th, and beat the Vikings 90-64, and leading scorer Clark had 19 points.
“We had a slow start to the game, and were down eight points after the first quarter,” said Laman. TJ’s offense eventually got going, outscoring North by ten in the second quarter, and by 18 in the third quarter. “We got going once we realized that we were going to lose to North,” said Laman. He says this rightfully so because North has only one league win and it was over Denver West, who has no league wins. North was also outscored by an average of 18 points per loss.
TJ now waits on the CHSAA Selection Committee to see where they will be seeded in the 4A state playoffs. “I would love to be in that room because it’s just talking the entire basketball season about every team,” said Laman. Once TJ’s playoff seeding is decided, there will be more information on the TJ Journal.
| TJ @ Green Mountain | Monday Dec. 5th | 7:00pm | W – 54-53 |
| TJ @ Heritage HS-Tip-Off Classic vs. Cherokee Trail | Wednesday Dec. 7th | 7:00pm | W – 51-50 |
| TJ @ Heritage HS-Tip-Off Classic vs. Grand Junction | Friday Dec. 9th | 7:00pm | W- 58- 44 |
| TJ @ Heritage HS-Tip-Off Classic vs. TBA | Saturday Dec. 10th | TBA | L-68- 55 |
| TJ @ Chaparral | Tuesday Dec. 13th | 7:00pm | L-74- 60 |
| TJ @ Cherry Creek HS-Holiday Classic vs. Legend | Monday Dec. 19th | 5:00pm | W 57-53 |
| TJ @ Cherry Creek HS-Holiday Classic vs. Arapahoe | Tuesday Dec. 20th | 5:00pm | L 73-65 |
| TJ @ Cherry Creek HS-Holiday Classic vs. Columbine | Wednesday Dec. 21st | 1:30pm | L 56-51 |
| TJ @ Cherry Creek HS-Holiday Classic vs. TBA | Wednesday Dec. 21st | TBA | L 64-49 |
| D’Evelyn @ TJ | Wednesday Jan. 4th | 7:00pm | L 81-59 |
| Rock Canyon @ TJ | Friday Jan. 6th | 7:00pm | W 82-68 |
| Columbine @ TJ | Saturday Jan. 7th | 1:00pm | L 74-52 |
| TJ @ Highlands Ranch | Tuesday Jan. 10th | 7:00pm | L 61-53 |
| Aurora Central @ TJ | Thursday Jan. 12th | 7:00pm | W 66-61 |
| Cherokee Trail @ TJ | Saturday Jan. 14th | 1:00pm | L 71-70 |
| George Washington @ TJ | Friday Jan. 20th | 5:30pm | L 59-45 |
| Kennedy @ TJ | Tuesday Jan. 24th | 7:00pm | L 68-59 |
| TJ @ Denver East | Thursday Jan. 26th | 5:30pm | L 89-65 |
| Denver South @ TJ | Friday Feb. 3rd | 5:30pm | W 56-45 |
| Montbello @ TJ | Thursday Feb. 9th | 7:00pm | L 78-71 |
| TJ @ Denver West | Friday Feb. 10th | 5:30pm | W 91-66 |
| TJ @ Lincoln | Tuesday Feb. 14th | 7:00pm | W 65-53 |
| Denver North @ TJ | Friday Feb. 17th | 5:30pm | W 90-64 |
| PLAYOFFS TBA | TBA | TBA |
