The identity of their next opponent was a bigger question than the outcome of the game as the Spartans cleanly and professionally dispatched the visitors from Holy Names Academy Tuesday, Feb. 6, claiming a 63-45 win in their first outing of the postseason and advancing one step closer to securing a shot at the SeaKing title.

Roosevelt, by the way, was ultimately revealed to be the only thing standing between the Bainbridge High girls varsity basketball team and the district tournament (to be held at Bellevue College starting on Saturday, Feb. 10), having themselves bested Chief Sealth 57-44 that same night.

The Spartans were thus set to face of the Rough Riders (who they defeated 47-38 back in January) on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Ballard High.

Despite the apparently uncomplicated nature of the team’s win against Holy Names (7-17 overall) Tuesday, Spartan Head Coach Henry Guterson said success was anything but a sure thing at tipoff.

“The scoreboard did not reflect how much of a battle that was or how tenuous it was,” he said. “It felt like a close game to me.”

As for Roosevelt, Guterson said it was just about as perfect a matchup as fans could ask for, to see the Spartans face the Rough Riders for a shot at the district tourney.

“They’re a tough team,” he said. “Us and Roosevelt have the exact same in-league record. We’ve beat the same teams and lost to the same teams — except we beat them. That’s the only difference in league. In terms of standings it’s as close as you can get for an opponent.”