Spartans rally to topple Crusaders in lone senior match

GUELPH – The Centennial Spartans made a pre-playoff statement Thursday when they rallied from an eight-point deficit after three quarters to win by eight in a District 10 high school senior boys’ basketball match at Lourdes.

The teams were tied 18-18 at the end of the first quarter before Lourdes went up 34-28 by the end of the second and 48-40 by the end of the third. The Crusaders were aided by their defence that caused three time-violation turnovers.

However, the Spartans weren’t going to be denied as they rallied for a 63-55 victory.

Jaylen Phillip led Centennial with 25 points as he swished seven three-pointers. Thomas Everitt netted 10 points while Quinn Forster had nine, both Everitt and Forster getting all their points in the second half. Maddux Martin collected seven points in the game.

For Lourdes, Dom Favaro led with 18 points while Simon Porcellato had 17 and Mardicai Mehari chipped in with six.

The game was the lone Thursday senior match that wasn’t postponed due to the early-morning freezing rain.

The result leaves the two teams tied at 10-3 and both are to finish their regular seasons Friday while the other six teams in the league are to wrap up their regular seasons Monday.

The playoffs are to start with Tuesday’s quarter-finals.

Junior Boys’ Basketball

Centennial 65 Lourdes 35

Sam Kim struck for 11 points for Centennial while Steph Batibeki had nine.

Josh Skelhorn had six points for Lourdes and Lat Hiyabu had four.

• Guelph Sports Journal