WARRENSBURG — Sparta’s offense failed to reach the 40s for the first time all season Friday, as the Trojans bowed to Thayer 42-37 in a Class 3 Quarterfinal.
Sparta’s previous season-low was 42 points in its 42-35 regular-season win against Greenwood.
The Trojans (24-6) put up 41 points in first half of their 74-52 Sectional win against Southwest and netted 50 points in the second half of their 82-77 District final versus Strafford
Jacob Lafferty was held to 17 points, after averaging 28 points a game in the Trojans’ first three post-season wins.
Lafferty totaled 101 points in the post-season.
Thayer took control in the second quarter and led the rest of the way. The Bobcats were up 24-15 at halftime.
After Thayer enjoyed its biggest lead at 31-19, Sparta enjoyed a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to two points, 33-31.
But the Bobcats closed the contest with a 17-4 run over the final six-plus.
Aidan Burns’ 24 points topped Thayer (25-4).
Backing up Lafferty were Dexter Loveland with eight points and Kavan Walker with six.
Walker averaged 14 points a game in the post-season and Loveland 12.8.
Thayer will be part of of a Class 3 Final Four field that also includes New Madrid County Central (22-7), Lafayette County (28-2) and Lutheran North (19-10).
