01/31/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
SPARTA - Wednesday night at home against visiting East Alton-Wood River, the host Sparta Bulldogs didn't shoot the ball well.

The hosts hit just 21-of-65 shots overall and were just 2-of-16 from the 3-point line.

Normally hitting just 32.3 percent from the field isn't a recipe for success.

However Coach Jordan Beckley's squad did something extraordinary on Wednesday night.

They crashed the offensive boards.

Sparta grabbed a whopping 22 offensive rebounds and out-boarded the Oilers 52-18 overall.

The second, third and sometimes fourth chances paid off as the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half of their 55-35 non-conference contest.

The win improved the overall record to 16-9 for Sparta.

East Alton-Wood River saw it's mark drop to 3-23 for Coach Kevin Gockel as the Oilers struggled offensively hitting just 10-of-47 shots from the floor.

“The difference in this game was the offensive rebounds (by Sparta) and our poor shooting. They (Sparta) are a good ball-club but we couldn't hit the broad side of a barn tonight,” said Coach Gockel. “It has been a problem all year. Balls will hit our hands (rebounds) and we're just not strong enough. We're trying to get the kids stronger (hitting the weight room) but it's not coming soon enough for us.”

Sparta was led in balanced team scoring by senior guard James Pillers with 11-points.

In fact nine different Bulldogs got into the score book with points on the night.

Six-two senior Darnell Smith added 10-points to the offense while sophomore Robert Greer and freshman Dariontez Monroe each scored nine.

Junior Damian Lanton added six-points for Sparta and 6-4 senior Marcell Spivey tossed in four fourth quarter points.

Three other Bulldogs; junior Quinton Littlepage, freshman Tyrell Charles and senior Lucas Dodson each scored two-points in the victory.

“We've struggled a bit in the second half of back-to-back games and tonight in the first half. But we rebounded well and did what we had to do tonight,” said Coach Beckley, after winning against New Athens on Tuesday. “If it is going to be a night that we don't shoot the ball well, at least we rebounded.”

The Oilers were led by 5-10 junior guard Tahj'Juan Smith with 16-points.

Six-foot senior Devon Green added 13-points for EAWR.

Only two other Oilers; senior guard Malyk Spiller (three) and sophomore Malachi Carter (two) scored in the loss.

While the Bulldogs struggled early offensively the made up for it defensively and on the glass.

EAWR actually had an early 6-5 lead on the strength of a pair of 3-point bombs by Green.

But Sparta responded with a score by Pillers, who scored four points in the first quarter and a 3-pointer by Lanton for a 7-6 first quarter advantage.

“We did a pretty good job (on Green) defensively, not giving him too many wide open looks from the 3-point line. He hit a couple of early 3's but Robert Greer did a pretty good job on him most of the night,” said Coach Beckley.

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Sparta had already set the tone for the game with five first quarter offensive rebounds and they needed them all as they hit just 2-of-14 shots in the first eight minutes.

Smith added points for the hosts with a rebound put back while being fouled for a three-point play and a 12-8 lead with 6:44 to go before halftime.

The hosts closed the half with 6-1 run to reach intermission up 22-14.

Greer scored four-points in the quarter and added a drive down the middle of the lane for points in the late quarter run.

Monroe took an assist from Pillers for a basket and Littlepage got an offense rebound to close the first half scoring with the Bulldogs up by eight at the break.

Sparta added nine more offensive rebounds, four of which turned into immediate points.

Smith scored eight-points in the third quarter for the Oilers and Green added 3-of-4 free throws in the frame.

Unfortunately the pair didn't get any other offensive help.

The Bulldogs got the lead up to double-digits for the first time in the game with Darnell Smith converting a three-point play and then the senior took an assist from Monroe on another score to make it 30-20 Sparta with 4:39 left in the third.

Pillers closed the quarter with a drive down the baseline for a basket while being fouled.

His made free throw pushed the margin to 35-26 heading to the final eight minutes.

Sparta pulled away for the win in by outscoring the Oilers, 20-9 in the fourth.

Lanton opened the quarter with a rebound and coast-to-coast score before consecutive baskets by Monroe and Pillers made it 44-28.

Reserves finished out the final 2:24 with Sparta getting points from the bench with Charles scoring on a rebound and a pair of baskets by Spivey to close out the scoring.

“James Pillers, for his height (5-11) did a heck of a job on the glass as did Darnell Smith. Dariontez (Monroe) is our point-guard but he is also our second leading rebounder. These guys go and get the ball pretty well,” said Coach Beckley. “We did a good job on not allowing run outs with everyone crashing the boards.”

East Alton-Wood River will host Roxana on Saturday as part of their first annual EAWR Shootout while Sparta will host Okawville on Friday night in a Cahokia Conference Illinois Divison game.

East Alton-Wood River (35) - T. Smith 4 1 5-6 16, Marshall 0 0 0-0 0, Spiller 0 1 0-0 3, Green 1 2 5-7 13, Stilts 0 0 0-0 0, Peterson 0 0 0-0 0, Bruce 0 0 0-0 0, I. Smith 0 0 0-0 0, H. Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Bock 0 0 0-0 0, Carter 1 0 0-0 2.
2FG-6/3FG-4/FT-10-13/PF-18.
Sparta (55) – Littlepage 1 0 0-0 2, Charles 2 1 2-2 9, Allard 0 0 0-0 0, Lanton 1 1 1-2 6, Pillers 3 0 5-5 11, Smith 4 0 2-2 10, Monroe 4 0 1-2 9, Bodeker 0 0 0-0 0, Spivey 2 0 0-1 4, Henry 0 0-0 0.
2FG-19/3FG-2/FT-11-14/PF-14.
Fouled Out – None.
Technical Fouls – None