Sports
Alexander Spartans Sneak by Southeastern With Overtime Win
By: Brook Ketring
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The Alexander Spartans started the 2018-2019 season with an overtime win against the Southeastern Panthers on Friday night. Fighting back and forth with a close score for most of the game, the Spartans pulled through to end the night 61-54.
“We knew it would be a close battle,” Alexander head coach Jim Kearns said. “We gave up some opportunities around the basket and missed some lay-ups, but Stone’s basket at the end on the rebound showed some grit and toughness, and we’re fortunate to come out with the win.”
The Spartans only losing by one point at half, 24-25.
Kam Riley led the Spartans at half with six points, and Dylan Mecum followed with five points of his own. Alexander would come out the second half fighting for the win. Battling with the Panthers, the Spartans were able to force a tie at the end of the third quarter, 38-38.
The teams continued to play competitive in the fourth quarter. Panthers’ guard Lane Ruby drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key, but with 1.5 seconds left, Spartan senior Stone Markins-Irwin tied the game at 50 with a short jumper, forcing overtime.
Caleb Terry then opened the scoring in overtime with a tip-in after J.K. Kearns missed a three-pointer. Terry would eventually score four points in overtime, guiding the Spartans to a win.
Throughout the night, Terry added 14 points, including ten points in the second half and overtime. Spartan’s junior J.K. Kearns led the team in scoring with 15 points and accounted for three of the team’s four three-pointers.
“They face-guarded him the whole game,” coach Kearns said. “They tried to take him out of the offense because he enters [the game] and gets us into things. He works a lot on his three-point shot.”
Alexander is back in action next Friday night when they travel to Vinton County to face the Vikings. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.