By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
All the Sparta Trojans wanted was a chance.
Playing in the Blue and Gold Tournament for the first time in 22 years, they’re on the verge of hitting the jackpot.
In one of the best local games in recent memory, No. 5 seed Sparta defeated top seed Bolivar 68-66 in double overtime in Wednesday night’s semifinal round.
“It’s all about making memories. What’s a better memory than that right there?” said Sparta coach Deric Link. “Win, lose or draw in that one, those kids are never going to forget how they battled. Love their heart, love their toughness… love my guys.”
Sparta junior forward Jacob Lafferty led four Trojans in double figures with 25 points. Through two back-and-forth overtimes, the Trojans didn’t cave against a school with three-times its enrollment.
Baskets from Kavan Walker, Dexter Loveland and Walker Loveland down the stretch helped Sparta maintain its lead.
Time expired in the second overtime before Bolivar could attempt another game-tying shot. Sparta players celebrated at mid-court after the second program-defining victory in 24 hours.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“Unbelievably excited,” said Sparta point guard Walker Loveland. “I’m excited we made it this far and now I’m ready to go compete in the championship game. It definitely feels better knowing that people didn’t even think we’d beat Ozark, then we come out and beat Bolivar here in double overtime.”
Sparta’s now one win away from turning house money into one of the most unlikely Blue and Gold championships ever.
Sparta, a Class 3 school and member of the Southwest Central League (SWCL), will play Republic in the Blue Division championship game at 7 p.m. Thursday at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield.
“I hope we have enough left in the tank,” Link said. “We’re very fortunate that we got into this tournament when we did. There are a lot of teams, in the past, that got into this tournament the year after they were good.”
Sparta won its only Blue and Gold championship in 1953. The Trojans were runner-up in ’52 and ’54.
Before this week, Sparta hadn’t appeared in the Blue and Gold since 2000. A year ago, Sparta fell short to Forsyth in the championship game of the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic.
“It’s so great seeing all our fans come out and enjoy this,” Lafferty said. “That’s really what our main thing is here: Just to bring back that love of basketball in Sparta. We used to be so happy and excited for basketball games. This was great having everyone come out.”
Said Link: “We just want a chance to have a chance. Now we have that chance. That’s all we’re asking for.”
One day after upsetting “big brother” Ozark in the semifinal round, the Trojans were on the hunt for another upset.
But with Sparta leading by three late in regulation, Bolivar star Kyle Pock nailed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to force overtime.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
“Rewind to just before that shot, (Pock) had missed a wide open 3,” Link said. “We weren’t going to get lucky twice.”
Kavan Walker’s trey in the second overtime put Sparta ahead for good, 66-63. Bolivar made it interesting at the end, as Pock missed the second of two free throws with five seconds remaining and quickly grabbed the rebound. He couldn’t get off a clean look before time expired.
Pock and Lafferty guarded each for most of the game, with both players tallying 25 points apiece. Lafferty bounced back after a scoreless first quarter and halftime pep talk from his head coach.
“Bring the show,” Link said of his message to Lafferty. “Attack him, he cannot guard you. You probably can’t guard him. Let’s give these people here what they want to see.
“Here’s your challenge: All the opportunity that will come from when people get this game film later on, they’re going to see if you can play or not. (Lafferty) showed up.”
Lafferty said he didn’t have much to lose going against Pock, a Northern Iowa signee.
“I’m not going to lie: Pock is the best player on the floor like nine times out of 10,” Lafferty said. “So in my mind, I’m just going to attack him, throw something up and hopefully they call a foul or I can finish. That’s what I did in the second, third and fourth quarters, and overtime. Throughout the game, I started gaining more confidence.”
Sparta 68, Bolivar 66 (2 OT)
Sparta 9 6 19 15 7 12 — 68
Bolivar 17 8 9 15 7 10 — 66
Sparta (9-2 overall) – Jacob Lafferty 25, Dexter Loveland 14, Kavan Walker 13, Walker Loveland 10, Steven Brown 6
Bolivar (6-3 overall) – Kyle Pock 25, Kaden Griswold 15, Gardner Casey 10, Ricky Gooding 6, Mason Wilson 6, Drake Durham 2, Jack Larimore 2
