A seven-point Holy Spirit High School lead evaporated during the fourth-quarter on Tuesday, Feb. 27 as St. Joseph of Metuchen rallied to tie the boys basketball game en route to a 56-55 overtime victory in a New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Non-Public Group A first-round playoff game.

St. Joseph had knocked the Spartans out of last year’s playoffs with a four over-time victory.

Cliff Spiller scored 13 points for Holy Spirit and was followed by B.J. Bailey with 11 and Ryan Brooks with nine

The Spartans ended their season up-and-down season at 17-9.

Holy Spirit rallied from a one-point first-quarter deficit to lead by two at halftime (24-23). Heading into the fourth quarter, the Spartans held a  38-31 lead.

Darrell Carroll scored a game-high 16 points for St. Joseph.

The Spartans ended their season up-and-down season at 17-9.