The Spartan basketball team ruled the court against the Hanks High School Knights in the first home game of the 2021-2022 season in the main gym on Nov. 9, 73-53.  

Early in the game, the Knights held a tight lead, but ultimately let up after the Spartans’ defensive pressure and coordinated offensive plays came into full effect.

Surpassing the Knights, a three from senior Laryssa Dickenson-Washington and layup from junior Megan Becker gave Hanks early indications of what was to come.

“We did good,” Dickenson-Washington said. “We ran the heck out of them.”

Another key player, senior power forward Katelyn Calderon made her homecoming memorable, driving up the court with back-to-back layups in the second quarter.

Calderon admitted the Spartans overlooked the Knights’ talent early on and had to give them due respect to gain the win.  

“We completely had to change the way we played,” Calderon said. “It’s more of a mental game once you get all of that excitement and adrenaline to your advantage and you get to dominate in the second half.”

Senior Victoria Aguayo scored 18 points, making her the highest scorer in the first two games of the season. 

The Spartans will go on to face the Burges High School Mustangs, who are also 2-0, in the Pebble Hills High School main gym at 7:30 PM, Nov. 16.