FAIRLEA- What a wild and may I say, weird, night in Fairlea on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Spartan Gym.
First, the Greenbrier East Lady Spartans came out to avenge an early season loss to the James Monroe Lady Mavericks and did they ever. After trailing by 1-point at halftime, the Spartans erupted for 47 second half points en route to a mighty impressive 76-51 victory.
On most nights, that is the talk of the evening. But on this one, there was another hot topic.
James Murray, better known as ‘Murr’ from the hit comedy TV series/movie Impractical Jokers, was in attendance for the contest between the two border rivals. Not only was he just there, but he also sat next to head coach Jim Justice on the team bench throughout the game and appeared on this night to be a Greenbrier East superfan, even donning a green and gold Spartan shirt. He took multiple pictures with students, teachers, fans, and players of both teams. He also went out on the floor by himself during the pregame and took some shots and during the fourth quarter, he ran into the Spartan student section and chanted with them. It was a night that many will remember.
Back to the game now where there no jokes, just really good basketball.
The Spartans took an early 3-0 lead on a Kennedy Stewart 3, but James Monroe was steady after that even though Mya Dunlap picked up two quick fouls. Abigail Mathis, Mary Beth Meadows, and the uber talented Maggie Boroski combined to help the Lady Mavs jump out to a 16-7 lead near the end of the opening period. Two Ava Workman free throws because of Boroski’s second foul trimmed the deficit to 16-9 after one.
With Hannah Fuller on the bench with two fouls as well, the Spartans dialed up from deep in the second. Stewart hit two from downtown, and an offensive rebound put back from Workman made it 26-19, Mavericks at that point. Meadows had a run-out layup that put James Monroe up 30-23 a couple minutes later, but six straight points from the Spartans cut the halftime score to 30-29, Mavs.
Whatever Justice and Murr said in the locker room at the break must have resonated with the girls from Greenbrier East. Stewart, Workman, and Fuller led a furious charge despite Boroski’s excellent attempt to counteract them on her end. Stewart put in nine points in the third and Workman scored 10. Boroski had eight for the Mavericks, but East won the period 24-12 and built a 53-42 lead after three.
A 23-9 scoring outburst in the fourth wrapped up the Spartans’ 15th win of the season (15-4). They never let James Monroe back in it after they seized momentum early in the second half.
Boroski did all she could for the Mavs. She finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 steals. Meadows added 13 points and Mathis was good inside with 6 points and 10 rebounds.
East was led by Stewart’s 30 points and 5 rebounds. Over the last two games, the sophomore is averaging 29.5 points per contest. Workman had 23 points and 9 rebounds. East won the battle of the boards 42-28.
The Spartans shot 65 percent in the second half compared to just 32 percent for James Monroe.
The Spartans are back in action this Thursday night, Feb. 8, looking to avenge another early season defeat when Princeton visits Spartan Gym.
James Monroe (11-8) will head to Montcalm this Friday night.
