The TJ Boys’ Hoop Squad lost to Fairview 73-62 Thursday night.
photo by Lauren Abrams
Advancing to the second round of the Tip Off Classic for the Spartans would result in a match up against one of the number one seeded 5A playoff teams from last year in the Fairview Knights, and this would also mean a switch from Thunder Ridge to Heritage.
With a change of venue came a change of results, as the Spartans suffered their first loss of the season, bringing their record to an even 1-1. The Hoop Squad would exchange blows without the Knights through most of the first half, but at halftime the Spartans would trail 27-34. Despite a strong performance by Seniors Ray Riley and Billy Sprague who delivered 17 and 15 points respectively, the Spartans were never able to catch up to the Knights, and fell by a score of 73-62. “We put up a good effort. This was a hard fought game, and I think we will learn from this one,” said Junior guard Miles McIntosh. The leading scorer of the game was Fairview Guard Darragh O’Neill, who torched the Spartans for 26 points including making 16 out of his 17 free throws.
The Spartans, on the other hand, were a disappointing 15 for 29 from the line. “We did figure something out tonight: If we want to win we need to make free throws,” said Laman, who plans to turn up the heat on that particular aspect of the game has he next practice.
The Spartan boys will next be in action tonight, Friday, December 4 against perennial powerhouse Thunder Ridge; their game will begin at 5:00 p.m., and once again will be held at Heritage High School.
