When Brookfield East junior forward Darius Barnes tipped in the tying basket on the buzzer Friday at Wauwatosa East, there was no way the Spartans were going to lose the game in overtime.
The Spartans, 3-6 in the Greater Metro Conference and 6-10 overall, dominated in overtime and beat the Red Raiders on the road, 56-50, snapping a 13-game road losing streak at Tosa East and sweeping the series.
"That's a Greater Metro Conference first for us," Spartans coach Andy Farley said. "We snapped a 13-game losing streak there. It is unbelievably huge for the school, for the kids and the program.
"That was our theme this week: to win down there."
Brookfield East outscored the Red Raiders, 13-7, in overtime. A 3-point play by senior guard Colin DeVoe got the Spartans off and running.
"We played ahead in the overtime," Farley said. "We were in control after DeVoe's 3-point play. He also made some big free throws in the overtime, and junior guard John Foley had a key basket."
The four-minute overtime lasted a little longer.
"With 3:18 left in the overtime, the fire alarm went off," said Farley, who could laugh about that after the game ended. "We waited 20 minutes for the Fire Department to come in and check it out."
Players making their mark
The Spartans were fortunate to get into overtime, as they trailed by six points with more than a minute to play in regulation, but free throws by DeVoe and Barnes' big tip tied the game.
Barnes, who is averaging 7.9 points per game, has played well in the past nine games, averaging 10.9 points. In his last five games, he has scored in double figures every game and has averaged 12.2 points.
"He has played incredibly well," Farley said. "He's been active, aggressive. He has scored a lot of points for us."
DeVoe had a great game, leading the way with 20 points - including 14 free throws - while C.J. Gregg added 11 points, Barnes 10 and Kyle Henning nine, all his points coming on three 3-pointers.
There were 51 fouls called during the game, 25 on Brookfield East and 26 on Tosa East. The Spartans were 23 of 33, and the Red Raiders 22 of 34.
Loss comes early vs. Chargers
Earlier in the week, the Spartans buried themselves early in a loss to the Sussex Hamilton Chargers, trailing 12-7 after one quarter and 32-19 at intermission. East played a solid second half, outscoring Hamilton 29-28, but the Spartans couldn't make up the deficit.
The Chargers made 11 of 14 free throws, while East had trouble getting to the line, going 0-for-3.
Gregg scored 14 points, and Barnes and Henning each scored 12 points to lead East. Hamilton's Brett Meinecke had 23 to lead all scorers.
Menomonee Falls next up
The first-place Menomonee Falls Indians (9-0, 12-3) come to town at 7:30 Friday and then the Spartans play a nonconference game at Franklin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The Spartans have won two of three games and three of the last five.
"Our big goal was to improve in the second half," Farley said. "We have been playing well."
- Tom "Sky" Skibosh
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