For the first time since 2012, the girls’ basketball team won sectionals and will be moving onto the quarterfinals to play against the defending state champions, Kirkwood.

Junior Yani Curry was a key player in the sectionals game against the Jefferson City Jays that ended at a score of 35-34.  The win came after an intense last three minutes where the lead was thrown back and forth in between the two teams. The close ending was a stark contrast to the strong lead Spartans held most of the game.

“From the tip, we just all had great energy on defense. So that was really good thing for us. I know after we hit some big threes, Lauren had a few big threes. I know Mackenzie hit one big three, it kind of got our momentum going,” Curry said.

Assistant Coach Julie Gronek, was thrilled with the results of the game and was proud that the team didn’t allow their previous experience with the Jefferson City girls affect the way they played.

“It’s what’s great about sports that anybody can beat anyone on any given day and not that we weren’t confident going into the game and thinking that we could do it because we definitely were,” Gronek said. “We had lost to this team by I think it was 25 points, or 25 plus points, earlier in January and just the fact that our girls didn’t care about that that they just went out and played their game and did what they could to make it happen and make us secure that when in that quarter final berth.”

Junior guard Sophie Delaney felt that she had her best moments in the last few seconds before they secured their victory.

“That end like push we had, within the last like three seconds, when that girl went for the layup, but our girls didn’t assume she was gonna make it, we pursued the rebound. So I feel like those last couple seconds were the best moments of the game. I did get [a little nervous] but like our coaches and the rest of us do, I have faith in our team,” Delaney said

Before their close victory over the Jays, the Spartans had a strong offense to start the game, gaining them a big lead, by the end of the first period, the score was at 16-8.  Their lead held strong until the last stretch of the third period.

“We led the whole game until about three minutes left, and Jeff city hit a few shots and they went up by three, I believe, and Lauren Ebert was able to hit back to back threes two possessions in a row. And that was a really a big swing in momentum, but just from those last three minutes on our team really showed their determination and passion for the game,” Coach Gronek said.

After this big win, the team and its’ coaches are excited for the quarter-finals on Saturday 3/10 against Kirkwood at Lindenwood.

“We’re very excited, we’re going in kind of obviously an underdog role going against defending state champions. So, but we’re excited to see what we can prep and plan for them and hopefully come out with the same result as last time,” Gronek said.