Spartans top Eldred, Livingston Manor

Playing down a Division, a novel experience for the now Class C Seward Spartans, Seward coach Rob Gravelle’s team ran their record to 4-2 with a 78-55 win over Eldred and a 69-35 win over Livingston Manor. At home against Eldred last Monday the visiting Yellowjackets came out swarming to take a l7-15 first-quarter lead. In the second quarter, however, with Brenden Myers, Bryan Folkl and Mickey Collins dominating on the offensive boards, the Spartans scored 20 points to take a 35-28 half-time lead. The Spartan defense also tightened up holding Eldred scoreless for almost four minutes at the end of the second quarter. That tough defense continued into the third quarter which ended with a Collins’ three-pointer just before the buzzer. Seven points each by Myers and Folkl in the final stanza erased any thoughts of an Eldred comeback, and Florida went on to that 78-55 win. Myers led the Spartan scoring parade with 20 points and l0 rebounds. Folkl was right there as well, scoring l9 points and pulling down ll rebounds. Saddam Sahmanovic scrapped all night contributing l7 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Collins finished with eight. At Livingston Manor on Thursday, Florida won 69-35, a win tempered somewhat by the absence of two Manor starters. Spartan coach Gravelle was able to play his entire roster, and they responded quite well. Folkl led all scorers with 23 points and a season-high l7 rebounds. Collins hit double figures with ten and five rebounds. Myers notched eight but gathered in l6 rebounds. Sahmanovic, Jeremy Harter, Jarrod Mancini and Wayne Hallock contributed six each. The week the Spartans took their show on the road to Hunter-Tanneresville for the Christmas-break Tournament. Division V action in the OCIAA is set to start with the new year.