As stacked as the Class 3 District 11 field appeared a couple weeks ago, it got even stronger last week with the return of Strafford senior forward AK Rael.
Strafford has played a good portion of its season without Rael, who has led the Indians to a slew of tournament titles over four seasons. With Rael in fold, Strafford handled Fair Grove 62-48 at Fair Grove last Friday.
The District’s semifinalists include SWCL champion Sparta (21-5) Mid-Lakes Conference co-champions Strafford (14-10) and Fair Grove (19-8), along with Greenwood (20-7).
The semifinal dates Wednesday are Sparta against Greenwood at 6 p.m. and Fair Grove opposite Strafford at 7:30 p.m.
The foursome would seem to compare with any Class 3 District’s semifinalists statewide.
“This should be a great District from a spectator point of view, (but) a nightmare from a coaching perspective,” Sparta coach Deric Link said. “Strafford and Fair Grove both bring great coaching, culture, tradition, athleticism, and skilled basketball players to the table. Greenwood has two of the best players in the District.”
Sparta, winners of five straight, is the No. 1 seed.
“I feel like we have played pretty well the last couple of weeks,” Link said. “We need to do a better job of rebounding the ball and executing a little better offensively.
“I think our schedule has prepared us for this week,’” he added. “Our kids have played in some big games and have competed really well. I am excited how we respond to another challenge.”
Sparta has enjoyed a breakthrough winter, but is seeking its first tournament championship. The Trojans lost in the finals of the Strafford Tournament, the Blue & Gold Tournament and the Sparta Tournament. In additoon, Sparta lost title tilts last year at Districts and the Walnut Grove Tournament.
The Sparta-Greenwood matchup is a rematch from the semifinal round of the Sparta Tournament. The Trojans won 42-35, as Jacob Lafferty scored 12 points. The Blue Jays’ Nick Burri and Collin Clark both had 11.
Burri scored 32 points and Clark 17 in Greenwood’s 10-point first-round win against Spokane on Monday.
“Collin and Nic do a great job and are extremely tough to guard,” Link said. “They (also) do a great job of getting their teammates involved.”
