Coaches Time Out

We just wrapped up the holiday season, and the Spring-Ford teams gained some big non-league experience in holiday tournaments. Getting back into the swing of things, girls and boys basketball both already had games this week. As a team, the Spring-Ford wrestling squad still remains undefeated. They face off against another PAC-10 opponent tonight. Winter track scored big again last week, sending another competitor to states with a state-qualifying time.

LRSC Patch and the winter coaches took a midweek break for its weekly Coaches Time Out.

Boys Basketball Drops Two in Tournament, Bounces Back This Week

The boys basketball team defeated Perkiomen Valley on Tuesday night, 71-67, after two difficult losses in the Coatesville Holiday Tournament last week. The boys lost to Coatesville and West Catholic (Philadelphia) in the tournament. The tournament's winner was St. Vincent Pallotti (Maryland).

"I told the guys before, if that experience builds us up for league games, then it’s worth it," said head coach Mike Young, indicated Perkiomen Valley as one of those league games.

In the game, Josh Dishman and Zameer McDowell scored more than 20 points, and Andrew Scanlan also scored double digits, with 10.

"Tonight, we came out in the first quarter and it was 20-19," Young said. "Both teams were scoring at will. The rest of the game, we really buckled down on defense and held them down. They’re a very good team, well coached. We shared the ball, got a lot of assists. Had guys open. We found a way to win at the end. It makes it worth playing all the other tough teams."

The boys face off against a Pottsgrove team that went undefeated until Tuesday night, losing by one to Pope John Paul II High School, then hit the road on Saturday afternoon to play Upper Perkiomen.

"Pottsgrove on Thursday is going to be a great  game," Young said. "We haven’t beaten them in a few years. So we’re pumped for that game on Thursday.  Upper Perk is a Saturday afternoon game. Sometimes, you have a long week like this, so we'll need to buckle down and take it to them from the very beginning." 

Darryl Branch sprained his ankle toward the end of the game on Tuesday, but isn't expected to miss any further time.

Girls Basketball on a Roll with Nice Winning Record

The girls basketball team is now 7-2 after a solid holiday tournament and a commanding win over Perkiomen Valley on Tuesday night. In the holiday tournament, the girls went 2-1, with their only loss coming to Notre Dame in a close one, 64-60.

"Notre Dame was a good game," said head coach Jeff Rinehimer. "It was back-and-forth. We had a couple of leads, but we missed 12 foul shots. One of their girls got hot and scored over 20 points. So, we did some things to beat ourselves, but they played well, too." 

The girls then came back and had a nice win over Great Valley. With Great Valley winning the night before, the girls knew it was going to be tough, but came out and played strong, dominating 70-26. In the final matchup, the Rams played a tough Central Bucks South team.

"It was really close in the first half, then the kids came out in the second half and outscored them 42-9 in the second half," Rinehimer said. "I’m really proud of them. That’s a really good team, so that was a big win for us."

As for the Perkiomen Valley game, the girls won 77-37. Leading scorers were Courtney Hinnant (13), Sammy Stipa (13), Nikki Lynch (12)and Sarah Payonk (13). The diversity in the points-scorers comes from intensity training, according to Rinehimer.

Although the girls got the win on Tuesday night, the coaching staff wasn't 100-percent happy with the performance. Rinehimer said the girls weren't quick on the ball and he hopes a day of practice will help improve that as they get ready for Pottsgrove on the road on Thursday night, and Upper Perkiomen at home on Saturday.

"We only want to do better," he said. "Tonight we were slow on the ball and we want to get back in the practice room to work on some things. Maybe we didn’t get enough practice after having three games in a row in the holiday tournament."

Wrestling Faces Phoenixville Tonight

After going out to one of the most established and respected holiday tournaments last week in the Manheim Holiday Classic, the wrestling team returns to action tonight against PAC-10 rival Phoenixville.

Coming off the Manheim Tournament, the Rams medaled six competitors, including a second place for junior Sean Hennessey.

"Three or four of the top 10 teams in the state were there," said head coach Tim Seislove. "So, just to get in the finals was a good accomplishment for Hennessey."

Senior Chase Brown won fourth place at his weight class and had a tough journey along the way, facing off against a 2010-11 state medalist and a kid ranked in the top ten in the state at 113-pounds this year.

Other medals included Jason Dombrosky placing fifth, and Adam Dombrosky, Tyler McGuigan and Josh Boyer placing sixth.

"Just to get a medal there is an accomplishment," Seislove said. "We saw some great competition. It’s a class-run tournament and we’re just happy to be invited."

After tonight's match against Phoenixville, the boys will gear up for the Cannerville Duals on Saturday, where ten teams will face off for glory. In last year's competition, the Rams placed second after a tough loss to Biglerville.

"We’ll wrestle five matches on Saturday and I’m sure we’ll see some good competition there," Seislove concluded. "We’re hoping to get out there and maybe get a rematch [with Biglerville] if we can."

Swimming

Swimming did not have comment this week.

Winter Track Sending White to States for Hurdles

Senior Mikaila White hit a state-qualifying time (9.59) in the Christmas City Relays last week, making her the second event Spring-Ford will participate in in the state competition by season's end. White placed first in the 60-meter hurdles.

"It’s a big deal because she’s still getting over the hamstring pull in the spring which kept her from competing in the District I Championship and therefore outdoor state championship," said head coach Danielle Stauffer. "We’re looking to see continued improvement."

Joe O'Such and Jesse Magalon did well racing in the mile together, placing first and second respectively. Stauffer said they didn't achieve the time they wanted, but will make strides to doing so in future events.

Ryan Pierson participated in his first pole vault event of the season after missing the opening Hill Invitational. He placed sixth and boasted a personal career record at 12-feet.

Finally, the girls distance medley relay placed fourth, being slightly edged by St. Huberts. The girls squad was comprised of Brandy Nice, Krista Cartacki, Kirsten Wong, Chandler Jones (15:01.26).

The team is invited to the Kutztown Golden Bear Invitational this Saturday and is looking for more time improvements.