Spartans Start a Busy December on Tuesday

Starting on Tuesday, the Spartans basketball team has a busy December on their agenda.  Including the game on Tuesday night at home against Austin, Scarborough, 1-2, will play four individual games and participate in three tournaments in the final month of the calendar year.

I'm not sure how many games are involved in each of the tournaments.  However, the Spartans should play a total of about 15 or 16 games before 2015 ends.

Magnolia West Runs Over the Spartans

Magnolia West had its way with Scarborough Monday night at the Spartans' gym.  In Scarborough's home opener, Magnolia West dominated on both ends of the floor and came away with a 76-32 victory.

The loss knocked the Spartans' record down to 1-2 for the season. Their next game is against Austin at Scarborough on Tuesday, December 1 at 7 pm.

How Will the Spartans Build on Last Season's Succeses?

NOTE:  This preview was written prior to the opening of the Spartans season.  Circumstances led to its delayed posting.

The 2014-15 Scarborough Spartans basketball team was arguably the best squad in the school’s history.  On November 17, this year’s club hits the floor with expectations to build on the successes of last year’s team.

After guiding the 2014-15 Spartans to 23 wins and the first play-off victory in school history, Coach Martin Wall is looking to push his team to achieve more in 2015-16.  The Spartans are slated to play eight state-ranked teams in the next three months, including Sam Houston High School (Houston Math and Science), ranked in the top 20 in Class 6A.  “I felt with our success last year,” Wall said, “We needed to take another step forward as a program. The goal this season is getting to the play-offs prepared for success.”

First and foremost, the Spartans are led by senior Hunter Janacek.  Janacek, who has signed a letter of intent with Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, is the reigning offensive player of the year in District 22-4A.  Janacek, whose three-point shooting has received statewide accolades, can carry the team when the need arises.   

In addition to Janacek, Quinton Hudson, Tahj Parrish, and Damani Wheeler bring substantial experience from last season with them to the 2015-16 season.  According to Wall, these veterans will “help the new additions acclimate to (Scarborough’s) program standards.”

With five seniors departed from last season’s team (including Jorge Martinez, Jonathan Garcia-Loza and Jonathan Crew), Wall is looking to numerous new faces to be a part of the Spartans’ next round of success.  Senior guard JaMeluis McIntosh is a “lightning quick guard.”  Senior twins, Jamaal and Jamond Miles provide length and athletic ability as well as outside shooting.  All of the Spartans’ new faces are called on to exhibit toughness and character according to Wall.

One part of Wall’s plan to take the program to a new level this season includes a trip to the Corpus Christi area.  The Spartans are preparing to play in the Wildcat Classic Tournament hosted by Gregory-Portland High School.  The Spartans will be on the road from December 10-12.  The 16-team tournament includes many of the top teams in the state.  According to Wall, “The best part of this tournament is getting to take the guys out of town for a couple of days. Most of them have not had this kind of experience, and getting to spend two nights in a hotel and eating out with their team will be great for them.”

Wall and the Spartans are excited about this year’s team.  They will continue to bring their trademark defense and team play to the court with an added level of talent over the last two seasons’ squads.  Wall hopes the Spartans will be “fun to watch and make our community and school proud.”

Two Days Until Basketball Games Resume at Scarborough's Gym

The Scarborough Spartans, led by Lafayette College commit, Hunter Janacek, started their full slate of games this week.  I'm looking forward to seeing how Coach Martin Wall's team follows up on last season's historic play-off run, which included the first post-season victory in school history.

I am the most anticipatory of the team's five games played on campus.  Full disclosure, I live a five minute walk from the campus, and I have greatly enjoyed being able to saunter down the street and watch this team grow the past two seasons.

Their first on campus game is slated for Monday, two days from today.

If you live near the campus, or if you want to see some good high school basketball in a cozy, home gym environment, keep these dates marked on your calendar.

Monday, November 23, Magnolia West (7:00)

Tuesday, December 1, Houston Austin (7:00)

Tuesday, December 15, Houston Davis (7:00)

Wednesday, December 30, Aldine (3:00)

Saturday, January 2, Houston Milby (3:00)

In addition, Scarborough will be playing in the Houston ISD Tournament (December 17-19). The schedule for that tournament is still pending.  However, two years ago, when the Spartans played in the HISD Tournament, they played their games at their home gym.

Spartans Hit a Big Wall in Game Two

Scarborough fell to Houston Math, Science and Tech on Friday night, 92-46.  It was the Spartans second game of the season, and they fell to 1-1.  Math, Science and Tech is in Class 6A, and is ranked second in the Houston area in that classification.

Next up for Scarborough is their home opener on Monday night at 7 pm against Magnolia West.

Big Challenge for Spartans Friday Night

With a season opening win behind them, the Scarborough Spartans basketball team faces a huge challenge Friday night.  The 1-0 Spartans will take on top-ranked Sam Houston High School (aka Houston Math Science and Tech).  Sam Houston is the #2 ranked 6A team in the Greater Houston area according to the Houston Chronicle.

Friday's contest is scheduled for 7 pm at Sam Houston.

Spartans win season opener Over Northbrook

Scarborough knocked off Northbrook in their season opener Tuesday night.  The Spartans won the game at Coleman Coliseum, 79-59.  On Friday, the Spartans play at Houston Math Science and Techonology.

Spartans Hit the Floor Tomorrow Night

The season is here. Tomorrow night, the Scarborough Spartans start another basketball season. Coming off of a 23-win season and the school's first-ever play-off victory, the Spartans face Northbrook at Coleman Coliseum.

Update on Expansion of Antoine Drive

The City of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department hosted a community meeting a couple of weeks ago at the Near Northwest Management District's office on Antoine. Attendees learned Antoine will be expanded from four lanes to six lanes beginning at Victory and running south to Hwy. 290.

It took a while before attendees received a link to the presentation, but here's the link. Residents can provide feedback on the Public Works and Engineering Department's plan for expanding Antoine until November 30, 2015.

Here's a link to the presentation:http://www.rebuildhouston.org/images/pdf/antoine_presentation.pdf

Here's the email address: pweplanning@houstontx.gov

Finally, here's a link to the newsletter with complete information about the October community meeting: http://nnmd.org/newsletters?layout=listing

Spartan Senior Has Business to Take Care of Before Season Opener

Before taking the floor for the 2015-16 season, Scarborough Senior Hunter Janacek has a little bit of business to take care of next Wednesday afternoon.  Janacek who was the District 22-4A Offensive Player of the Year last season is scheduled to formalize his commitment to Lafayette University on November 11 by signing a National Letter of Intent.

Janacek and his Spartan teammates are preparing to follow up on their historical 2014-15 campaign, which included the first basketball play-off win in school history.  Janacek will be at Lafayette, in Easton, Pennsylvania for the 2016-17 school year.

Lafayette is hosting an online special on the 11th, during which they will reveal their signing class, including Janacek.