Heading into the Blue and Gold Tournament, Sparta knew that no one expected them to advance to a semifinal game — let alone a championship.
There was no way Sparta, making its first appearance at the tournament since 2000, would be able to beat Ozark. The Trojans proved everyone wrong and showed they belonged with a 60-57 win over their Christian County neighbors.
Up next was Bolivar which was on fire on the back of Northern Iowa signee Kyle Pock. The Liberators were the overwhelming favorite while playing some of their best basketball through the first two games of the tournament.