Spartans earn a victory in Richmond

The Connersville Spartans and Richmond Red Devils have been battling it out on the hardwood for over 100 years. This season the Spartans traveled to Richmond to face an improved Red Devil team came in at 4-2, last season the Spartans took the annual match up by 17 points. After neither team pulled ahead by more than three-points, Connersville went into halftime leading by two, they outscored Richmond in the third frame by one-point and led 29-25 going into the final frame.

The first quarter was led by Josh Williams who scored the first five points for the Spartans, James Williams scored the next four, and Gavin Pearson was good for two as Connersville trailed by one-point after the first period. The Spartans defense held the Red Devils to just five points in the second frame, Lucas Barron put up four points in the frame with the Williams brothers combining for next five. The Spartans led at the half 20-17.

The third frame started with Richmond hitting a long ball then Connersville going on a 9-3 run to close out the frame. Braxton Myers put up four-points and Jo. Williams five, taking a seven-point lead with a minute to go. Richmond got a last second basket and CHS was up 29-25 going into the final period. The teams battled back and forth for the first half of the quarter then Richmond pulled within two points of the Spartans. Myers went to the line and hit both shots to pull the lead back to five. Richmond went to the foul line hitting two then a Connersville turnover gave Mason Carpenter an open three that tied the game up at 39-39 with 40 seconds to go. Barron drew a foul with two seconds remaining. The senior added two points from the charity stripe giving the Spartans a 41-39 victory.

Connersville is now 5-2 on the season. They will be in action next Tuesday when they host the Connersville tournament at the Spartan Dome. Teams participating are, Rock Creek Academy, Lawrence North, and Ft. Wayne Concordia.