Spartans end season with a loss
By Diana Royal Staff Writer

Basketball season came to an end last week for Edmund Burke Academy's Spartans, who were eliminated from the Region 2- AA tournament by a 48-34 loss to Frederica Academy.

They finish the season with a 1-17 record.

"The season was a disappointment from the win-loss standpoint," Spartans head coach Todd Layton said, "but these young men improved tremendously throughout the year."

For the next three seasons, Layton said they have much bigger goals. "We have a good young group that will work hard, and that is what it will take to practice and improve their skills daily," he said, adding that the team will miss the three seniors.

"Brandon Hamilton is a good kid who really understands the game, and when Chad Smith joined the team, we really started playing better. He is an outstanding young man," Layton said. "Jayme Elliott started all year at power forward, and I wish I had him for two more years because he really improved each year. I love these three young men, and they will be missed."

For the season, Boyd Lively averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds per game. Jeremy Hayes averaged 13 points, 2 steals and 3 rebounds. Both players were selected All-Region.

"Jim Sandeford improved each game and will be very important the next two years," Layton said. "Bernie Smith had a good year; he's a very good defensive player." Layton also said freshmen Kyle Wilson, Tyler Rowland and Nathan Kittrell will be vital parts to the team's success over the next three years.

"In my two years as boys' coach, we have had a lot of disappointments and adversity," Layton said. "In most positive things in life, you must overcome adversity and disappointments to achieve success. In the upcoming seasons, I think it will be time for the Spartans to receive some rewards."

Against Frederica last Tuesday, the Spartans got down early and were trailing by 15 at halftime. Although the Spartans made a run in the third, Frederica hit a three-pointer, then a lay-up, stretching their lead yet again. The Spartans were unable to close the gap and finished the season last in their region.

Hayes led with 10 points, including 2 three-pointers, and Lively had 8.

Smith also had a threepointer.

Leading in rebounds were Lively, 9, and Sandeford, 6.

The Spartans were 5-10 from the free-throw line.

Smith was credited with 3 steals, while Sandeford and Hayes each had 2.