Girls Hoops Crushes Phantoms, Heads to Finals

It didn't take long for the Spring-Ford High School girls basketball team to score its first points in Friday night's Final Four semifinals game against Phoenixville. The Rams were fouled within the first minute of the game, allowing sophomore guard Sammy Stipa to put in two free throws.

What the Lady Rams didn't know was that they would be going on a 21-1 run to make it 23-1 at the end of the first quarter. The girls played aggressive, even employing the full court press early on.

"It's where the defense was, really, for what we want to do," said head coach Jeff Rinehimer. "They know they were a team and they had to play team defense to get it done."

The Phantoms turned the ball over 37 times in the 69-31 Spring-Ford win. The Lady Rams had 16 steals.

"It looks like Phoenixville went out with a little smaller lineup," Rinehimer said. "So, you get a little concerned that they're trying to beat your press up the floor. Last time, they ran a neat little curl with [Kristen] Habbel, who was getting behind us. We tried to make sure we kept them in front of us so it could be a little more effective."

Habbel didn't score a point in the game. On the Rams' offensive side of the ball, Sarah Payonk and Brittany Moore led in scoring. Payonk had 16 points and Moore had 12. The girls didn't look back after that epic first quarter.

"Around the court, we don't look at the scoreboard, really," Moore said. "We just concentrate on our game, think about our defense and know how we play together."

Despite a great offensive effort, especially by Payonk, the girls continued to say how much the defense was a vital role in the win. Aside from that, the girls had 22 defensive rebounds and 34 total rebounds in the game.

"I would say our defense was strong and led to the offense," said Payonk. "We're really looking forward to whoever we're going to play in the championship game. Last year was a tough year, but we really want to come out strong and win it this year. Our defense is going to lead to that again, like it did tonight."

Next week's championship game is all too familiar for Spring-Ford, who lost to Boyertown in the finals.

"It's really special for all of us," said Moore. "It's a big deal because last year we got upset by Boyertown."

This year, however, the girls won't be facing Boyertown. It's going to be either Pope John Paul II or Methacton. The championship will be played Wednesday night.

"PJP has nice shooters on the outside and hustle," Rinehimer concluded. "Methacton has great athletes. They're hitting their stride right now. Good rebounders, good speed, good team - Methacton. PJP, too, very good team."

Photo courtesy of Bruce Good. For more photos, check out www.PopPopGood.com.

Spring-Ford Statistics

Points
Sarah Payonk - 16
Brittany Moore - 12
Mariah Traywick - 9
Jaida Burgess - 9
Nikki Lynch - 7
Sammy Stipa - 6
Courtney Hinnant - 4
Sammi Haas - 3
Shelby Mueller - 3

Rebounds
Payonk - 8
Traywick - 6
Hinnant - 5
Maggie Locke - 4
Moore - 3
Stipa - 1
Burgess - 1
Puckett - 1
Lynch - 1

Assists
Stipa - 4
Payonk - 2
Moore - 2
Hinnant - 1
Kirsten Landis - 1
Lynch - 1
Burgess - 1

Blocks
Traywick - 1
Locke - 2

Steals
Traywick - 3
Haas - 3
Payonk - 2
Moore - 2
Stipa - 2
Burgess - 2
Lynch - 1
Mueller - 1