The battle for a position in the play-offs continued Tuesday night as the Stratford Spartans hosted the MacArthur Generals on their home court. In spite of the rainy weather, there was a good turnout for the game.

Mac came out aggressive and on their game as they were crashing the boards and winning the battle of the rebounds. The Spartans hustled to keep up with the fast pace tempo set by the Generals. Finishing the first period ahead 14-13, the Generals, under the leadership of Coach Rick German, retained the lead for most of the game.

The Generals came out and set the fast paste tempo for the second period as well. However, the Spartans were energized with a quick 2 points by Rodney Milum and a three pointer that came on its heels. Milum showed great leadership on the court as he urged his teammates to step up the intensity on both ends of the court.

MacArthur stayed consistently aggressive with their rebounding but had some crucial turnovers that would hurt them down the stretch.

In the final minute of the second period, Stratford slowed down the pace hoping to set up for a three by William White to tie the game. Although White was on his game and high point man for the night with 24, this was not his shot. The Generals went into the half leading 27-24.

Stratford came in the third period wasting no time to make up the deficit with Andrew Luck drawing a foul and earning a trip to the line. On the Luck miss, Stratford took the offensive board and Milum made the Generals pay with a successful three-point shot. However, Mac’s Ivan Mascorro answered with a three pointer of his own at the other end of the court.

Stratford’s Brad Daniel was adept at using his height to his advantage in the paint as he drew fouls and earned trips to the free throw line late in the third period. Although MacArthur ended the third quarter with consecutive turnovers, the Generals finished the period ahead by 6. 44-38.

MacArthur’s Coach German encouraged his players to play smart going into the final period. However, the Spartan fans would try to make the Generals lose focus, as they were loud in cheering on their team.

The Spartans slowed up the pace in the fourth as they set up their offense and worked the ball around. The Spartans not only found success offensively, but also defensively as they held the Generals to four points in the fourth period.

Luck increased the Spartan’s momentum down the stretch with some key defensive plays and a successful two-point field goal.

During the final minute of play, the Spartans pulled ahead 51-48. The last minute seemed endless as both teams worked the clock and managed time-outs hoping to tie the score or pull ahead. However, it was the Spartans who came out victorious with a final score of 51-48.

Stratford’s William White finished strong putting up 24 points with Rodney Milum racking up 12. MacArthur’s Darnell Jenkins was high point man with Ivan Mascorro coming in with 17. After defeating Memorial Saturday, the Spartans go to the road to meet Spring Woods Friday night 7:30 and the Generals take on Nimitz at home.

*Interviews with Coach Hornsby and Stratford players may be viewed in the Reel Action.
     

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