The Apache Junction Prospectors (2-21) boys’ basketball team hosted the Vista Grande Spartans (1-19) on Jan. 27.

The Prospectors were looking to electrify the almost packed crowd in their second to last home game of the season.

An atmosphere which included T-shirt tosses and chants from the crowd created an exciting game as Vista Grande won the tip-off to begin the first quarter. Both defenses came to play to start the game as neither team could rally enough momentum to jump to a dominating lead. The Spartans were able to finish the first quarter with a 10-5 lead.

The new quarter brought an even higher wave of electricity in the crowd as both offenses started to heat up in the second quarter. Unfortunately, Senior Jordan Bojorquez of the Spartans went down with an injury which put the game to a halt. The Spartans in an attempt to win the game for their teammate were able to hold their lead to 22-16 to end the half.

The third quarter started out with a clash of the Castros as Josh Castro of the Prospectors denied points from Darnell Castro of the Spartans with perhaps the block of the year.

Midway through the third quarter, there was a long stoppage by the referees as there appeared to be confusion with the game clock. This however, did not make the game any less exciting as Vista Grande’s lead was cut down to only three as the Prospectors made it a 27-24 game.

This, however, was the beginning of the end for the Prospectors run. The Spartans were able to dominate ball possession in the fourth quarter to slowly chip away at the clock. And in the last three minutes of the game the Spartans were able to run away with their lead to conclude the game at a 45-31 score.

Despite what the scoreboard stated, this game was much closer than it looked. Both teams had phenomenal plays and hard-fought games.

Editor’s note: Isaac Robertson is a high school intern who currently covers sports writing for Apache Junction Unified School District. He plans to attend ASU with a major in sports journalism.