The Boys Varsity Basketball team snapped their four game losing streak on Saturday with a 60-32 against non-conference opponent Spectrum. The Spartans controlled the game from start to finish, thoroughly dominating the Sting. The visitor’s offense was stagnant and loose with the basketball, coughing it up consistently throughout the game.

After the game Junior Ryan Peacock said, “We were aggressive today and that was good; we also got out into transition.”

Junior Dalante Peyton carried the Spartans, leading all scorers with 22 points, notching 10 in the first half, and 12 in the second. The play of the game occurred in the first half when Peyton stole the ball from the Spectrum guard at half court. This led to a run-out, and Peyton slamming the ball home over the helpless Spectrum guard.

Peacock commended guard Peyton:“When Dalante plays well, we play well, and he played well.”

The Spartans also received consistent scoring from down low with senior Abdulsalan Osman getting 15 points. This made up for the Spartans’ poor shooting performance from behind the three point line. Usually dead-eye shooter, senior Ben Petee didn’t hit a single three even with lax defense from the Sting.

The Spartans were able to play every varsity player in the game, except for Dean Isaacson who was out with an ankle injury

Senior Zeeshawn Abid saw significant minutes off the bench, having a career day. He tracked down the basketball, getting a few rebounds, and also scored his first varsity points on a lay-up in the second half.

After the game Abid said of his points, “I got hops, I should have dunked, I could have dunked,” he added that “it [scoring the points] gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of the game.”

The win has brought the Spartan’s record to 3-4, with their next game at Concordia Academy on Dec. 18. That will be the second to last game before the Spartans begin their conference schedule in the new IMAC against Providence Academy, on Jan 6 in Historic Briggs Gymnasium.

This is installment #2 on the Spartan Boys Varsity team of Staff Writer Breandan Gibbons’ stories on “The Road to State,” tracing our state-competing teams from last year as they make their way in the new IMAC Conference.  You can also read his stories on Girls Hockey.