Freshman Sebastian Sparkman, Olton boys show poise in chaotic win over Floydada

OLTON — The raucous environment inside Memorial Gymnasium on Friday was enough to make any freshman's head spin. But as Olton boys basketball coach Bobby Workman knows, his point guard is no ordinary freshman.

Sebastian Sparkman, the Mustangs' cool and collected navigator, proved a pivotal piece in a contest that demanded poise in a chaotic finish.

No. 4 Floydada whittled a seven-point deficit down to one in the final minute, but Sparkman and No. 14 Olton halted the rally in a 72-68 win. The result gave the Mustangs sole possession of first place in District 4-2A, prompting a mob of blue-and-white-clad supporters onto the court moments after the buzzer.

"We hadn't lost a game here since 2019," Workman said as Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" played overhead, "so we wanted to make sure we continued that trend. It's all a credit to our crowd, really. They bring it every game. It was a big win for us."

The playoff-like atmosphere ended with a celebration worthy of the postseason.

"We knew how good that Floydada was," Workman said. "They're a team that you can never relax. You've got to bring your 'A' game. You've got to be locked in for four quarters. I thought we did a pretty good job of that. We didn't start very good, but our guys just were resilient and continued to fight."

Brennon Huguley capped a patient possession to give the Mustangs a 71-68 edge with 16 seconds to go. It displayed the ball movement that Olton thrived on after falling behind by 11 points in the first half. Sparkman said the message early on was to stick together.

The Mustangs did, and the comeback ensued.

Olton (16-4 overall, 5-0 district) never trailed after taking its first lead during a 16-0 run in the second quarter. Floydada (22-5, 4-1) got within one point three times in the final stanza but couldn't get over the hump.

Huguley, who scored nine of his team-high 17 points at the free-throw line, grabbed the rebound after the Whirlwinds' last gasp trailing by three. The 6-foot-4 senior led a group of five Mustangs to reach double figures, including 14 apiece from Andrew Martinez and Nathan Urbina.

"I think that's really important for us, that way teams can't just key in on one or two guys," Workman said. "We've got to spread the floor a little bit and take advantage of that."

Sparkman, who had 11 points himself, credited his teammates for making plays. That included Jake Soliz, who notched 12 points and five assists. Sparkman steered the ship, adding eight rebounds and three assists along the way.

"(Sparkman's) very level-headed," Workman said. "Really quiet kid, works hard every day, loves the game and understands the game. I know that some moments can be too big for freshmen, but there hasn't really been a moment that's just too big for him yet. We're going to continue to rely on him handling the ball and just running our offense for us. … He's definitely risen to the occasion."

A starter since Day 1, Sparkman provides a needed complement to Soliz, Workman said. After early growing pains as a whole, Olton has found its groove behind team basketball and stout defense. The Mustangs held Floydada to nine points in the second quarter after its blistering start.

Abran Castillo scored a game-high 23 points and Braun Hobbs 16 for the Winds, who lost for the first time since Dec. 10. They'll be favorites twice before starting the second half of district against No. 15 New Deal. The Lions' two losses in league play came in overtime to Floydada and Olton.

With the trio at the top considered some of the best in the state, Workman knows the top spot is far from secured. But he sure likes the way his group is trending.

"We give (Floydada and New Deal) all the respect they deserve," Workman said. "They're two great teams. We knew deep down what we're capable of. We knew that we were right up there with them if we play well. But early on we weren't playing well this season; we just improved every week and every day.

"We just try to take it one game at a time. We know we've got to play both of those teams again, and it won't be easy, so we've just got to focus on the next one."

Fillies hold off Floydada girls, move into third place

The girls set the tone of thrilling finishes Friday.

Olton held off a late push from Floydada to take a 46-42 win that broke a tie for third place in district. Senior Makenly Smith led the charge with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Olton, which won its third in a row.

"I feel like since Christmas break we've been kind of a different team," said Fillies coach Brittany Huseman, whose squad beat No. 23 Sundown during a holiday tournament. "Just a more positive, more confident team, so I'm hoping we just keep building on that."

Floydada trailed by 11 with 5:29 to go before clawing back. Katelynn Ramirez scored four of her team-high 11 points during a 10-1 run that got the Lady Winds within two. But Floydada couldn't convert the front end of a 1-and-1 on its final possession.

Both teams are in the playoff picture midway through the district slate, looking up at Hale Center and Sudan.

"Every game's important," Huseman said. "We knew coming into this district that it was gonna be a dogfight. … Respect all, fear none."

District 4-2A

BOYS

Olton 72, Floydada 68

Floydada 22 9 19 18 — 68

Olton 13 20 20 19 — 72

Floydada (22-5, 4-1) — Tyrean Henderson 8, Braun Hobbs 16, C. Gonzales 10, Orlando Ortiz 2, Abran Castillo 23, Aiden Trevino 9.

Olton (16-4, 5-0) — Sebastian Sparkman 11, Jake Soliz 12, Alan Vasquez 2, Nathan Urbina 14, Jimmy Munoz 2, Andrew Martinez 14, Brennon Huguley 17.

GIRLS

Olton 46, Floydada 42

Floydada 12 8 12 10 — 46

Olton 14 12 11 9 — 62

Floydada (14-11, 4-3) — Dani Zavala 2, Zay Santos 9, Analise Perez 3, Lailah Burks 5, Katelynn Ramirez 11, Sierra Snowden 7, Soriah Wickware 5.

Olton (9-14, 5-2) — Aspen Struve 3, Kylee Noack 15, Makenly Smith 18, Analise Ramage 8, Olivia Cox 2.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Boys basketball: Olton beats Floydada for first place in District 4-2A