Spartans win two, still in the hunt

Florida - “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Seward Spartan basketball coach Rob Gravelle and his squad have adopted the same philosophy as Yogi Berra. With wins over Roscoe, 73-57, and Fallsburg, 59-31, the Spartans raised their overall record to 9-7 and their Division V record to 2-3. That 2-3 may not be very impressive, but all three losses were by the narrowest of margins and came after Florida led late in the games. At home last Tuesday against non-league opponent Roscoe, it was a close game until midway of the final quarter. Florida led by two after the first quarter, by five at the half and by five, 49-44, after three quarters. That last five-point margin was due in large part to Bryan Folkl’s nine-point effort in the crucial third stanza. Whenever the Spartans went ahead it seemed the visiting Blue Devils would knock down a three-pointer, like their buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter was helter-skelter basketball. With Spartan stalwart on the bench with four fouls, Roscoe closed to 56-54, the last three on consecutive foul shots. With four minutes to go Myers came back in. Then in rapid succession Saddam Sahmanovic and Myers hit short jumpers, Jeremy Harter swished a timely three-pointer and Mickey Collins drove the lane for a tough two and suddenly it was 65-54. Game time. Folkl was consistent throughout, ending up with a game-high 26 points and 20 rebounds, a double-double twice over. Myers finished with 18 and 14 rebounds. Collins added 11 and Sahmanovic scored 10 and dished off for six assists. One night later division rival Fallsburg came to town and went home with a 59-31 loss. The game was a fast and furious one, especially the first quarter which Florida led 16-9. With Collins, Folkl and Myers controlling the defensive boards, Fallsburg didn’t get many second chances. After three quarters Florida led 46-25 and coach Gravelle, who earlier admitted this was a “must win” situation, was able to relax and substitute liberally in the fourth quarter. Myers led the way in this one with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Folkl was held to six points, but he also pulled down 13 rebounds. Collins played well, hitting from both inside and outside to finish with 18 points and nine rebounds. Harter hit double figures with ten, and Sahmanovic had six and added eight more assists.