STURGIS, SD — The Spearfish Spartans spoiled the season opening games for the Sturgis basketball teams at West Gym, beating the Scooper girls, 58-49 and edging the boys, 53-51.
The Sturgis Scooper girls basketball team jumped out to a 7-0 lead early on Spearfish, before the Spartans roared back to take a 32-24 lead at the half. The Scoopers never recovered as Spearfish held on for a 58-49 victory.
Freshman guard Mya Kochuten drained four three-pointers and led the Spartans (2-0) with 20 points. Kaylee Whatley scored 18 for the Scoopers (0-1).
In the boys matchup, Spearfish led 12-6 after one quarter and 25-18 at the half behind the hot shooting of Seth Hamilton and Ryan Heinert. The Spartans led by as much as 12 points in the third before Sturgis found their groove and took their first lead of the game, 33-31 on three pointers by Gavin Lightenberg.
The game was back and forth throughout the final stanza. The Spartans led 51-50 and fouled Jake Vliem with just :09 seconds left. Vliem made his first free throw but missed the second. Spearfish secured the rebound and Rylan Palmer drove the ball hard into the paint, scoring on a layup with just :01 second left to win the game.
Seth Hamilton led Spearfish (2-0) with 14 points. Antonio Serrano added 13. Sturgis (0-1) was led by Vliem with 13 points and seven boards.
The Scoopers are in action Tuesday as they visit Belle Fourche.
