Stratford vs Spring Woods (Tuesday January 4)

The JV boys’ started 2022 the same way the ended 2021, with a victory over a district opponent! From winning the opening tip to taking the last shot of the game, a Spartan victory was never in doubt. The entire game was a showcase of not only the offensive strengths but also the stifling defense that led to a record of 11-0.  The defensive lockdown led to Spring Woods being held to 4 first quarter points and ended the 10, while Stratford led 33 – 10. The second half started with an offensive explosion that led to a score of 57 – 10 to end the 3rd quarter and a final score of 76 – 30. The team did an awesome job of balancing scoring and defense to ensure the victory and a record of 12 – 0, and prepare for the upcoming game against district rival Memorial High School on Friday January 7.

Missing some key players, the entire team stepped up and contributed to the victory. Will Messer led the team with 20 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals. Travis Dunwoody 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. Hunter Jones 13 points and two rebounds. Heaydan Daly 6 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kamari Stanfill 6 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jason Kaiman 5 points and three rebounds. Ethan Kling 4 points, one rebound, four assists, and three steals. Joshua Yu 3 points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Payton Sarrat 3 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Stratford vs Memorial (Friday January 7)

Anyone who is anyone knows one of the most anticipated match ups of the season is any game against our district rivals, the Mustangs of Memorial. Many, who were in earshot of Don Cole Coliseum on Friday night, have reported loud waves of thunder rumbling throughout the community. Fans cheering, student sections either dressed in pajamas or sailor suits had the whole place rocking as they watched an action-filled, no holds barred, worth every penny spent match-up between two talented teams.

From the opening tip-off, everyone in attendance could feel the intensity, pressure and expectations of this match-up. The game went back and forth in the first quarter with the Spartans holding a slim 17 – 16 lead. The second quarter standoff ended with both teams scoring 12 points and the Spartans leading 29-28 at half time.

The third quarter saw the Mustangs separate themselves from the Spartans with some hot shooting from the 3-point line and hitting some timely free throws, and at one point leading the Spartans by 19 points. The Spartans gathered themselves to close the gap but the Mustangs held a 52 – 40 lead to close out the quarter. The momentum the Spartans used to close the gap carried over into the 4th quarter to outscore the Mustangs 29 – 17, leaving the scoreboard showing 69 – 69 with the buzzer ending regulation. The energy expended to the end the third quarter and throughout the entire 4th quarter, caught up with the Spartans during the extra period and the Mustangs took home the victory by outscoring the Spartans 9 – 4 and winning the contest 78 – 73.

Though the Spartans did not win the basketball contest, they proved to themselves and those in attendance that “the Spartan spirit never dies!”

Wes Wolfarht led the team with 29 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Hunter Jones 12 points, one assist and one steal. Payton Sarrat 10 points, two rebounds, one assist and three steals. Kamari Stanfill 7 points, five rebounds, one block, one steal and one assist. Travis Dunwoody 6 pts, one rebound, one block and five steals. Will Messer 4 points, six rebounds and two steals. Heaydan Daly 2 points, three rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Jason Kaiman 2 points and one rebound. Ethan Kling 2 points. Will Meadows 1 rebound and two assists. Wesley Stallings 1 assist,

The team is back in action at home this week, Tuesday January 11- Cy-Creek and Friday January 14 – Northbrook both games have a 5:30 pm start time.