Basketball Game Preview: Esparto Spartans vs. Westlake Charter Explorers

The Esparto Spartans are taking a road trip to challenge the Westlake Charter Explorers at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Esparto will be strutting in after a victory while Westlake Charter will be coming in after a defeat.

Having struggled with ten losses in a row dating back to last season, Esparto turned things around against San Juan on Tuesday. They snuck past the Spartans with a 35-29 win. Esparto's offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.

Esparto's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kay Schneider, who posted 18 points. Those 18 points gave Schneider a new career-high. Lisandra Martinez was another key player, putting up ten points.

Meanwhile, Westlake Charter's game on Tuesday was all tied up 13-13 at the half, but sadly for them it didn't stay that way. They fell to John Adams Academy - El Dorado Hills 36-31. The Explorers have struggled against the Patriots recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost matchup.

Esparto will have to keep a close watch on Anthonia Nwaukoni and Mika Binger, a pair of players who had a big impact on Westlake Charter's prior game. Nwaukoni had four points and six rebounds, while Binger put up four points. Nwaukoni has been hot recently, having also posted two or more steals the last three times she's played.

Even though they lost, Westlake Charter smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in four consecutive matchups.

Esparto's win ended a five-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 1-3. As for Westlake Charter, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-2.