PGH NJ 2021-22 Season Preview: Sparta

When looking at the North Jersey Athletic Conference in the spring, there was no debating that Sparta was the class of the conference. The program went 14-1 in the Covid-shortened season, its lone loss, a three-point loss to Morris Catholic in mid-February. Sparta went 12-1 in conference play and 9-0 in divisional play, absolutely shutting down opponents with a dangerous defense that allowed under 40 points a game and an offense that scored nearly 60 points a game in the spring. Unlike many programs who will see big senior classes year after year and will have to race to replenish for the next season, Sparta has none of those issues. A sophomore class full of superstar talent carried the team in the spring and now in their junior years, they’re ready to run things back in the NJAC. Prep Girls Hoops New Jersey continues its season preview series with a look at Sparta, an early favorite for one of the best programs in the state this winter. The good news, as previously mentioned, for Sparta is that last season’s senior class was one Emma Cilli. Apart from her, the entire roster is coming back, starting with junior standout [player_tooltip player_id="155444" first="Brynn" last="McCurry"]. McCurry plays the stretch four role about as well as any player in the state, averaging 20.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.0 BPG, 2.3 SPG and 1.2 made three-point field goals a game in the spring. She was an All-Conference selection and is one of the most exciting and intriguing juniors coming into this season, a stat sheet stuffer and a multi-faceted playmaker who can take over the game in a split-second and dominate. McCurry isn’t the only big name on this roster as alongside her is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="155447" first="Ally" last="Sweeney"], Sparta’s best three-point shooter, perimeter defender and passer. Sweeney averaged 13.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.1 APG, 3.2 SPG and 1.4 made three-point field goals a game. She’ll be running the point again for the Spartans and while this might sound like a long shot, Sweeney has the potential to average 10+ assists per game before her high school career ends. That’s not an exaggeration at all considering the team she has around her, like fellow junior Bailey Chapman, who is expected to be that shooting specialist again after over 44 percent of her scoring last season came from three-pointers. Chapman averaged 7.2 PPG in the spring and if she can double or even triple her three-point shooting output, she’ll be in great shape as one of the best perimeter shooters in the state. Junior guard/forward Mason Munier has the potential to be a small forward/shooting guard for the Spartans, which fits her play style as we’ve seen her. She’s an expected starter for Sparta and will be a key piece on defense, finishing third on the team with 1.3 SPG in the spring. Senior Alexa Acker has the traditional forward spot locked down after being one of the best shot-blockers in the NJAC last season, averaging 1.7 BPG. Her 7.1 RPG was second on the team and as one of two seniors this season, her veteran presence and leadership will be key to stabilizing the starting lineup. Junior Rylee Munier and senior Shauna Ryan will be backup forward options off the bench while sophomore Malaya Dobbs and junior Grace McDonald will be backup guard options for the Spartans. New Jersey, watch out because the Spartans are armed and ready for battle.