The Thomas Jefferson Spartans boys basketball team dismissed four players, including two starters, for the rest of the season for breaking team rules, coach Grant Laman confirmed Monday.
The Spartans (18-7), seeded No. 3 in the Bill Weimar Region of the Class 4A state tournament, face defending champion and No. 1-seeded Sierra on Friday at Colorado Mines for a berth in the semifinals.
According to Laman, the players broke several rules while staying with the team at a hotel in Glenwood Springs during playoff games Friday and Saturday. The incident happened after the Spartans’ 78-54 victory over Greeley West, and the players were not allowed to play or even join their teammates for Saturday’s 54-38 victory over the Glenwood Springs Demons.
“I’m really proud of our team for overcoming a lot of adversity and moving on to the Great 8,” Laman said Monday. “Some guys will be playing new positions or playing roles they wouldn’t necessarily be in. We had a great practice today, and somehow we’re excited for the challenge.”
Senior forward Billy Sprague led the Spartans, state titlists in 2005 and 2006, over the Demons with 16 points, and senior Chris Carter scored 13 points and Eric Andres contributed nine points and 12 rebounds.
A preseason No. 2 team in The Denver Post/9News 4A poll, the Spartans have lost just once this season against 4A competition.
