Luxemburg-Casco Spartan boys’ basketball could not hold Thursday night at home, as the Freedom Irish prevailed 54-51 in Luxemburg in a game the Spartans led for nearly the entire game.
The Spartans started fast with an 18-4 lead in the first seven minutes frustrating the cold-shooting Irish early on. Freedom then went on a 13-0 run to get right back into the game but the Spartans finished out the half scoring the final 11 points to go up 31-20.
The second half was back-and-forth with Freedom staying within striking distance until the final three minutes. The Irish used a pressing defense to force numerous turnovers and easy baskets to eventually take the lead in the final minute on a steal and layup by Zach Mashlan. The Spartans had a few opportunities at the end, but Matt Cravillion’s three-pointer bounced off the back of the rim at the buzzer.
Mashlan, who started slow and still finished with 23 points, scored the final five points for the Irish to seal the victory. Logan Doell led the Spartans with 20 points and Ryan Robillard added 15 more.
Luxemburg-Casco (3-3, 4-4 overall) will now travel to Denmark Tuesday to play the Vikings before coming back home next Friday to face the undefeated Wrightstown Tigers on 96.7 FM WBDK. Freedom improves their record to 5-1 in the North Eastern Conference and 8-1 overall.
(photo courtesy of Ron LeCloux)
