With a nod to Sparta’s post-season exit a year ago, coach Josh Loveland is seeking complete-game efforts out of the Trojans this week in Class 3 District 11.
Sparta will be out to ease the sting from its semifinal loss to Strafford last season. The Lady Trojans let an 11-point lead slip away over the final six minutes.
Just like a year ago, Sparta (21-5) is the District’s host and No. 3 seed. The Lady Trojans play fifth-seeded Spokane (12-13) in a first-round game at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Fair Grove (22-4) is the No. 1 seed and Strafford (18-8) No. 2.
“We are going to have to play really well three games in a row,” Loveland said of Sparta’s chances to be crowned District champs. “We have to play full games where we can control the pace, take care of the basketball, and take no possessions off on defense. It is going to be really hard with two of (Class 3’s) top-five ranked teams in the state seeded in front of us. I feel like we are ready for the challenge."
Sparta won nine games in a row prior to ending its regular-season schedule with a 35-point loss to Skyline.
The SWCL portion of Sparta’s slate didn’t provide much of a push for the Lady Trojans and likely has contributed to their recent inconsistencies. They all but lapped the rest of the conference in what was a subpar season for the league.
“We played some teams (over the past month) that weren't really strong and a few that are pretty good,” Loveland said. “We have been streaky as of late, playing really well at times and then being a little lazy and taking possessions off on defense.”
Center Natalie Wilks and forward Megan Brown top Sparta with scoring averages of 13-plus points.
Loveland relates Spokane earned his respect during Sparta’s 64-52 victory versus the Lady Owls last week.
“(They) definitely won't be an easy task,” Loveland said. “We got up by 20 early, and then got up by 20 again in the third quarter. Instead of folding like some teams would, they worked harder and went on a really good run spanning about 4-5 minutes and cut the lead down to seven.
“(Sydney) Bryan is super athletic and will shoot it from anywhere and when her and (Tristen) Wallace are both hitting shots they are a dangerous team,” he added. “(Dakota) Van Loan has added an inside presence for them.”
Loveland figures his scouting report on Fair Grove and Strafford might read a lot like an opposing coach’s scouting report on Sparta.
All three bowed to Skyline this month.
"I feel like our style compared to the styles of Strafford and Fair Grove are very similar,” Loveland said. “Essentially, what we practice every day is what they are going to throw at us. One of the hardest things to emulate in practice is the kind of pressure teams like Fair Grove and Strafford are going to put on you and they are going to do it for 32 minutes. Both teams have good shooters, like to pressure you and try to turn you over.”
Strafford, which has a streak of seven straight District titles, features prized freshman prospect in Elsie Larsen.
“Strafford’s record may not be as good as it has been in years past, but they play a very tough schedule and they compete every night, no matter who they are playing,” Loveland said. “I think they are just as dangerous a team as they were the last couple years. They are very solid defensively (and) can turn up a lot of pressure when needed. They do a great job of limiting your second chance opportunities. (Laney) Humble, Larsen, (Lauren) Jones and (Brooklyn) Adney give them a threat to shoot it from anywhere.”
Fair Grove has shown a killer instinct against some of the state’s premier teams. The Lady Eagles completed an ultra-impressive stretch recently by beating El Dorado Springs by three points, Ava by 17, St. James by 25 and Strafford by 16. Also, they beat Skyline by 19 in the teams’ first matchup in January.
“(Kameron Green) is one of the better true post players in the area (and) they have young kids that are already good players,” Loveland said. “Fair Grove is long and athletic and they are going to get after you defensively full-court for 32 minutes. When you turn the ball over they are a team that will beat you by 30 and make you look bad. If you can take care of the ball and force them to play you in a half-court game, then it can be very competitive.”
