Sports
Simley Rally Falls Just Short In Season Opener
The Spartans battled back from a 13-point deficit, but couldn't get past Park High School.
In control most of the game, host Park High School had to hold off a gutsy challenge by the visiting Simley High Spartans to escape with a 45-41 win in a non-conference boys basketball season opener for both teams Friday at Cottage Grove.
Simley trailed 22-15 at the half and then 31-18 early in the second half, but little by little the Spartans whittled into the Park lead.
Simley sophomore guard Verneal Baxter sparked the Spartans with a three-point field goal, a steal and two free throws, and another steal and two more free throws to cut Park's lead to 31-26.
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Simley battled all the way back to trail just 43-41 with under a minute to play. Simley had the ball and a chance to tie, but the Spartans committed a turnover when they tried to get the ball inside after several passes around the outside looking for a high percentage shot. That would prove to be their last best shot at winning.
Park's Tim Vorwerk was fouled at the other end, but missed both free throws. The Wolfpack's Justin Myers stole the rebound, was fouled and went to the line to calmly sink both shots for a 45-41 Park lead with 12.4 seconds left.
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The Spartans showed plenty of heart, hustle and defense Friday. What they couldn't do with any regularity was put the ball in the hoop.
"I wasn't happy with our shooting performance," said Simley Coach Ben Bushaw. "We shot the ball pretty horribly. It's tough to win games when you don't shoot well from the perimeter. We didn't get any inside play and they gave us plenty of chances because we made them turn the ball over quite a bit. We just couldn't capitalize.
"They made big plays and we didn't do that," Bushaw added. "We're just a little disappointed in how we played. We know we can play better than that."
Baxter scored 17 points to lead the Spartans, but no other Simley player had more than 5 points.
"I commended our guys for their effort," Bushaw said. "I thought they played really hard. They left it on the floor and I'm really proud of them for that."
Simley opens the home season Tuesday against St. Croix Preparatory Academy, the game tipping off at 7 p.m.
