Sports

Alexander Spartans: Dec. 6-12

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The Alexander Spartans (4-2, 1-1) started this past week out strong in a blowout win against River Valley, but split their weekend games against two undefeated teams to go 2-1 for the week.

 

On Tuesday, the Spartans routed River Valley in a 63-21 victory. Alexander recorded points from ten different players and produced 37 points from the bench in a full team effort win.

 

Jake Weaver led the team with 13 points nine rebounds and Mason Chapman added nine points off the bench in his second game back from knee surgery.

 

The Spartans then turned their attention to Friday’s matchup against an undefeated Vinton County team.

 

In a 66-47 loss, the Spartans were not ready to play at tip-off, trailing the Vikings 13-3 after the first quarter.

 

“We had key players get into early foul trouble in the first quarter which really stopped our momentum,” Alexander Coach Jim Kearns said.

 

The Spartans seemed to find their rhythm as the game progressed but the closest they got was when they cut the lead to one point in the second quarter.

 

Alexander was praised for its half-court defense, especially the pressure it put on River Valley’s guards. But that was not enough as the Vikings pounded the ball into the posts and racked up points in the paint.

 

The Spartans didn’t give up in the second half. They cut the lead two times to five points, but they couldn’t seem to make big plays when they were needed.

 

“The game was much closer than the score showed,” Kearns said. “We played well until they ran away with the game in the fourth quarter.”

 

Chapman started his first game of the season and scored 15 points off five three-pointers. Cory Chapman and Jake Weaver each chipped in nine points.

 

The Spartans ended the week Saturday night against another undefeated team, the Minford Falcons.

 

Chapman and Seth Richardson led the way for the Spartans in a 60-46 victory. Chapman finished with 20 points and Richardson finished with 18.

 

Alexander led by nine points at halftime, but the Falcons cut the lead to two points by the end of the third quarter.

 

The Spartans executed well in the fourth quarter and didn’t let the Falcons gain the lead the rest of the game.

 

“Our boys hit crucial free throws down the stretch when we needed them too,” Kearns said. “It was a great team win.”

 

Cory Chapman and Weaver each also added eight points to the Spartans score.

 

After a week of showing great team play and effort, Alexander is looking for their second conference win next Friday when they travel to Nelsonville-York.