Fort Dale Academy teams sweep Sparta

By Adam Prestridge

adam.prestridge@greenvilleadvocate.com

Fort Dale Academy and Sparta Academy's girls took off their gloves Monday night in a heated contest.

The ninthnranked Lady Eagles (16n7) won the bout upending the secondnranked Lady Warriors (17n3) 50n39 on Senior Night at their home court.

"It was a huge win for us," FDA Head Coach Reggie Mantooth said. "We beat a good team. It was a tough physical type game. It wasn't pretty all the time, but we definitely played hard enough to win."

Junior Guard Laura Skipper led the Lady Eagles with 14 points. Sophomore Guard Frances Watts added 12 points and led Fort Dale's defense with 10 rebounds.

"We knew we would have to take care of the ball, they like to press and trap all over the court," Mantooth said. "We struggled a little bit with that. Our other emphasis was to do a good job on them defensively. We really did a good job on their two leading scorers defensively."

Sparta Academy's Head Coach Russ Brown said the Lady Warriors' contest against the Lady Eagles was the most physical game they've played all year.

"It was a tough physical game," Brown said. "The refs let them play. We've had both extremes of officiating this year, but that was the most physical they've let us play all year. I was disappointed that not all the girls played physically.

"I think both teams were tight at the beginning of the game, they loosened up and we got tighter," Brown added. "Fort Dale performed pretty well after their initial tightness wore off. They've got more out of what they have than we did. We didn't play up to our expectations."

Mantooth, who also said it was the most physical game his girls have played all season, believes playing in such a heated battle will help prepare the Lady Eagles for the postseason.

"I think it was a good game for us to learn how hard we need to play in the playoffs, and how physical and tough it's going to be," Mantooth said.

Boys

Fort Dale's senior varsity basketball players extended their home winning streak to 39 games Tuesday night with a 64n40 win over Sparta Academy (10n10).

The win was the final home game for the topnranked Eagles (22n1), who were also celebrating Senior Night.

"There were a lot of emotions and it kind of got us out of our usual rhythm, but Andrew (Hollis) made a bunch of shots early," FDA Head Coach Reggie Mantooth said. "Everybody got to play and had a good time."

Hollis, a senior forward, stepped up for FDA scoring a gamenhigh 21 points to lead his team. Senior Point Guard Brett Paulk finished the night with 11 points and Senior Guard Daniel Wesley added 10 points.

"Fort Dale came out rednhot and we were a little bit flat," Sparta Head Coach Russ Brown said. "We began to play better and they began to lose their edge, but they had a 22n5 lead on us and that was too much to overcome. They're a good team. They have a lot of weapons."

Senior Forward Josh Yates led the Eagles' defense with 10 rebounds.

"I think the emotion and the intensity of the night was the reason we didn't shoot the ball particularly well to start the game, but I think we played well the second half," Mantooth said. "For the most part it was a good game for us."