Spartans Punch Their Ticket To State On Malikie’s Shooting

After falling to the Capital Bruins in the boys semi-final on Friday night the Sentinel Spartans looked to bounce back against the Glacier Wolfpack and did so with a 62-40 win over the Wolfpack.

Sentinel came out of the gate hot going on a 9-0 run in the first three and half minutes of the game, with Glacier not scoring until Drew Engellant dropped in one of two free throws. Sentinel kept the pace of game up with an active defense did not allow the Wolfpack to score a field goal until the 1:48 mark of the opening quarter.

Keeping their foot on the gas pedal the Spartans pushed the pace of the game resulting in the Wolfpack struggling from the field. Glacier would finish the first half shooting 25% from the field while the Spartans finished at 55%. With a tight defense the Spartans were able to cause the Wolfpack to turn the ball over seven times in the first half that the Spartans turned into fast break points.

After a dominating first half by Sentinel, Spartan post player Scott Malikie continued his shooting spree scoring eight of the Spartans first 10 points in the third quarter. Malikie had lead all shooters in the first half with 11 points, seven more than any other player on the court. In all Malikie finished the game with 19 points, going 8-9 from the field and 3-4 the free throw line, and six rebounds.

Holding on to a heavy lead to start the fourth quarter Spartan head coach Jay Jagelski put his bench in, putting them up against the Wolfpack starters for the remainder of the game. The Spartan bench would hold their water against the Glacier starters and Sentinel cruised to the consolation match, guaranteeing Sentinel a trip the state basketball tournament.