The Stratford Spartans hosted the Memorial Mustangs Friday night in a highly anticipated rival and district game. Red and green filled Stratford’s gym as these two rival teams hit the hardwood to clinch the final spot in the district. Memorial took the lead in the first quarter and controlled the game to seal a 40-29 victory.
“It’s what you would call a fantastic, healthy rivalry and it’s always nice to beat your rivals. They played outstanding,” Memorial coach Bill Cronin said. “Stratford is an unbelievable team and we were fortunate that we played a great game.”
The lead was exchanged early on in the first quarter as both teams keyed in on their opponent’s game play. Memorial strengthened their defense and shut down the lane, forcing Stratford to play from the perimeter. As Stratford struggled to get open looks Memorial ran the floor, closing the first quarter leading 10-7.
Defense was again the key in the second quarter for both teams. Stratford and Memorial were both slow to sink a basket as the first points came four minutes into the quarter. The Mustangs waited patiently to find their open players and with Memorial in the bonus they were cautious not give up the easy foul shots. Stratford scored three from the bonus and came within five but before the half was over Memorial’s, Jennifer Edwards sunk one at the buzzer to give her team a 20-13 lead going into the locker rooms.
The Mustangs came out firing in the third quarter. Memorial scored seven unanswered points and officially took control of the game as they came down with the rebounds and hit from all over the court. Stratford connected with the basket and stayed close but Memorial finished the third ahead 30-24.
Stratford initiated their full court press in the fourth but with Memorial solid play execution they were unable to corral the Mustangs. The Spartans entered the bonus in the fourth and gave the Mustangs a chance to score several points from behind the line to maintain their lead.
Memorial’s Ashley Sunderhaft led both teams with 17 points and Stratford’s Libby Burgher finished with 9 points for the Spartans.
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