Boys basketball: Can Spartans help Lancers win title?

Brookfield East might be sick of seeing West Allis Central in the next week.

But the Spartans can do crosstown rival Brookfield Central a huge favor tonight when they host first-place West Allis Central (11-2, 15-4) in the regular-season finale.

A win by East, which lost a 58-50 decision in the first meeting on Jan. 20, and a Lancers' win over Sussex Hamilton (6-7, 11-10), would give Central (10-3, 16-5) a share of the title.

The Spartans will then play the Bulldogs in back-to-back games opening the WIAA Tournament on March 2 at Central. East is a sixth seed and the Bulldogs are a third seed. The good news is they get first-round byes on Feb. 28.

East dropped a disappointing 70-51 decision at Marquette on Friday and dropped to 5-8 in Greater Metro Conference play and 9-12 overall.

The Spartans actually led after one quarter, 12-10, but the Hilltoppers outscored the Spartans, 38-20, in the second and third quarters to blow the game open at 48-32 after three periods.

Junior forward Mikey Novak has continued to be the biggest surprise for the Spartans, as he poured in 19 points to easily lead all scorers.

Junior guard Brian Smith added 13, but only point guard Ryan McBride (seven) had more than six points.

Meanwhile Marquette had better balance, as Donnell Cegars and AJ Mueller each had 13 points, Tom Beres had 10, Nick Klar, nine, and Andy Kreuger added eight.

Novak moved into second place in team scoring (12.7 points) behind Smith (13.9).

The Spartans, who have missed shooting guard junior Nick Kanavas (injury), have split their last four games, but have lost six of eight games.