Spartans stung by Cobras at home

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Despite one of their better efforts of the season, the Strathmore High School (SHS) Spartans senior boys squad still picked up a loss.
They can take solace in the fact it was only a midweek exhibition game, though.
With the exam break setting in, the Spartans wanted to squeeze one more game into their schedule before another lengthy absence from the court.
Also, since they are no longer playing in the Foothills Athletic Council, the Spartans use these exhibition games as scouting games and a measuring stick for some of their competition within the South Central Zone.
On Jan. 17, the Spartans were bested by one of the top schools from their zone, the Cochrane High School Cobras, 66-65 at the SHS gym.
The Spartans had the ball with 15 seconds remaining, took a clean look from the land beyond for the win and even a couple put back attempts, but couldn’t get a bucket.
“It sucks to come short in a game like that, but we moved the ball well, had a couple big games from a few guys, played more like a team and looked to pass the ball more on offence,” said Spartans Head Coach Matt Laslo. “That’s the kind of stuff I have been looking for this season.”
Josh Filipionek was lights out from downtown, drilling five threes for a team-high 20 points. Newcomer Reid Jensen was also strong, turning in 15 points.
“I also thought that Kevin Agboro played his best game of the season. He was huge for us down low. He did a great job boxing guys out and getting timely rebounds,” said Laslo. “Nathan Cayouette and Andrew Ericson did a great job defensively on their best players. They denied them the ball and made their lives difficult. They didn’t let them have anything the easy way.”
The Spartans will wrap up the exam break with no games this weekend, but will return to the hardwood Feb. 1 for the Super South Tournament in Medicine Hat.
Lady Spartans downed by snakes
The senior girls also hosted the Cobras that evening. Like the boys, they played a closely contested game but fell 56-50 at the final buzzer.
Allie Davidson continued her strong play this season with 18 points, while point guard Kaylin Larson poured in 13 points.
“We started really good; we got up by 10 early but then hit a lengthy dry spell where nothing was going in for us,” said Spartans Head Coach Kyle Larson. “We were able to chip away, but we have been prone to those types of struggles this year and that was the case Wednesday night.”
Unlike the boys’ program, the girls are back in action this weekend with a tournament in Olds. They are quite busy from here on out, as they try to find their groove with zones and provincials on the horizon.