A much improved performance graced the court at Bainbridge High Friday, Feb. 5 as the Spartans faced off against the visiting Bishop Blanchet Braves in the final game of the regular season.

Though the BHS boys varsity basketball team scored first and led initially, they were overtaken by the end of the first quarter and would trail for the rest of the game. A better showing than last week’s step back against Ballard, to be sure, but not enough so for a win.

The final score was 67-52.

The game also marked Senior Night, and Reed Thomas, Isaac Holloway, Anders Tonsmann, Blake Bieber, Eric White and Miles Gori and their families were recognized by BHS teammates, coaches and fans.

The latest loss at home left the Spartans with an overall season record of 6-14 (2-12 in conference), and the sixth spot in the Metro Mountain Division.

BHS hosted Nathan Hale for the first postseason matchup Monday, Feb. 8, and then traveled to play against Franklin Tuesday.

In Friday’s fracas, BHS got on the board right away and remained in the lead 5-3 with about six minutes left in the first quarter. The Braves quickly burst out in front, though, and the Spartans trailed 13-11 with about a minute and a half to go.

Entering the second down 16-14, the Spartans found themselves falling further behind rather quickly and the game moved into the third quarter with the island team trailing 33-24.

The first part of the second half was much of the same, and the Spartans entered the final quarter behind 51-33, a deficit from which they were unable to recover.

Spartan Head Coach Steve Haizlip said of this, his first batch of BHS seniors since taking over the team, that he could not have asked for a better group.

“It can be hard having a new coach, especially when you’re a senior,” Haizlip said. “They’ve given it their all and [I have] nothing but good things to say.

“Hearing when the seniors were introduced, to hear the cheering for them, just says a lot about them and I’ll remember that,” he added.

Haizlip said that while not all of the squad’s seniors had as much playing time as others, they were an especially friendly and supportive bunch to not just each other but the entire team.

“They continue to work hard and just do what’s best for the team,” he said. “For me, this has made my first year. We haven’t won as many games as we’d wanted to, but [it’s still] very enjoyable.”

Against Blanchet, Haizlip said that the Spartan defensive rotation “was a little bit not so good,” but that he was proud that the lessons of the previous week’s loss clearly stuck, resulting in a better overall performance which was reflected on the scoreboard.

The first few minutes, especially, the coach said —when the Spartans jumped to a quick lead — were an example of the kind of play this squad can achieve.

“It’s huge,” he said of the initial tone. “We’re trying to really be  consistent with that and I think they’ve done a pretty good job.”

Defensively, Haizlip said there was work to be done, as the Spartans have not won against a team which put up more than 50 points in a game all year.

“We have to defend,” he said. “Moving forward, we’ve got to lock down even more.”