TJ handles business 84-34 against Kennedy before beginning tough stretch ahead.
Deonte Fair dishes out the rock for the Spartans. photo by Kevin Fleming
After an uncanny loss to the North Vikings a week before, the TJ Hoop Squad was looking for answers when they took on the Kennedy Commanders at Kennedy Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the Spartans were forced to get the job done without junior standouts Ray Riley and Shane Oliver.
It turned out the Spartans could afford to give Riley and Oliver the night off as the remainder of the TJ lineup crushed Kennedy by a score of 84-34. Kennedy was no challenge for TJ, seeing that they only had one lead the entire night, scoring the first basket of the game and getting off to a 2-0 lead.
For the Spartans this game seemed to be a prime opportunity for younger players to enhance their game on the varsity level and develop TJ’s depth as they head for a State Title. And the available players didn’t disappoint.
Sophomore Cedric Penn continues to be an asset to the Spartans and played extremely well against the Commanders, popping in 10 points. It also appears TJ has found a big man not only for the future, but who is ready to make an immediate impact this season in 6’3″ Freshman Nathan Brewer. Brewer, who has been receiving substantial playing time of late, showed his potential, scoring 12 points. Juniors Zach Jackson and Billy Sprague both had the scoring touch as well leading the team with 18 points each.
This big win was a needed reassurance for TJ and its talented players, but the road ahead will be much more difficult. The Spartans’ next two games will be against the defending 4A and 5A State Champions: the Lincoln Lancers and the East Angels respectively. If that’s not tough enough, the next game after that will be against George Washington, who is ranked 5th in 5A and is playing exceptional basketball.
The next game will be at TJ against Lincoln on Friday, February 6, at 7 pm.
