Spartans prevail over Chapel Field, 65-59

Florida - Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. It may have only been a non-league game against Chapel Field last Friday, but the importance of that game on the Seward Spartans’ morale and well-being was significant. The Spartans needed a boost after three heart-breaking losses to get back into the Division V race. And they got that boost, holding off a tenacious Chapel Field, 67-59. Played before a large crowd of fans in Florida, including a noisy student body relaxing after Regents Week, the game was a tight, exciting affair. There was no score at all for the first three minutes until a Mickey Collins put back and subsequent foul shot put Florida in front 3-0. The first quarter ended at 10-10, and at half-time Chapel Field managed to lead 25-22. The visiting Lions started the third quarter with a long three-pointer, but Collins hit a driving layup just before the buzzer to tie things up at 46. In between those two shots, Bryan Folkl fought for eight points, Collins for six, and Brenden Myers and Jeremy Harter for four apiece. That quartet continued to jell with point-guard Saddam Sahmanovic to keep the game close. With four minutes left it was tied at 52, and with 1:30 left Chapel Field actually took a one-point lead, 57-56. The sophomore forward Harter took over swishing a three-pointer to put the Spartans up 59-57. He later added a steal and a layup and converted one of two foul shots. Sahmanovic canned two foul shots at the end for Florida’s final two points, off-setting an uncontested dunk by Chapel Field for that final 67-59. It was a balanced scoring effort for the winning Spartans. Third-generation Spartan Jeremy Harter led the way with 15, bringing a huge smile to first-generation John C. “Jake” Harter who played in the late 1940’s and early ‘50’s. Collins and Folkl each contributed 13 with all of Folkl’s coming in that pivotal second half. Myers finished up with 12, Sahmanovic added seven and Wayne Hallock chipped in with five. It will be interesting to see if coach Rob Gravelle’s squad can build on this one as OCIAA action continues.