The Spartans went to Elma, Tuesday, Jan 4, and started the New Year and League season off with a win, 68 to 44. Forks controlled the game from the tip, going up 8-0 in 3 possessions and forcing Elma to call a timeout to start the game.

The Spartans kept the intensity scoring 22 first quarter points and another 22 points in the 2nd quarter to have a commanding 44-19 lead at halftime. “I was really happy with the energy and intensity we brought on the road to start league. We want motivation to start us and habits to carry us, we did both” Said Coach Gooding. “League wins are huge, there are only 5 teams in league this year, so eight games, every win is important, especially on the road.”

Gooding cited posts Marky Adams and Cole Baysinger who both had double-doubles with good play inside. “Cole was hitting the mid-range shot that made us tough to defend and Marky was underneath cleaning everything up.

“They got us the buckets we needed!”

Sophmore Cort Prose started the game hot hitting three first quarter 3’s that help open up the middle of the court. Prose hit another 3 in the 3rd quarter to finish with 12 points.

“When you can get a league win on the road and have as many guys contribute as we did that is a good feeling. We had 8 different guys score, 8 different guys get assists, 9 different guys get rebounds and 12 guys get into the game and contribute. That is how we want to play,” Gooding said.

Senior PG Jeffrey Schumack ran the show with 8 assists and Parker Browning chipped in 9 points and 6 boards. Brandon Baar came into the game and got 3 big steals and Seth Johnson added 3 assists.