Girls Hoops Headed to Quarterfinals with Win

In a low-scoring, highly charged, defensive matchup, the Spring-Ford girls basketball team faced off against Mt. Saint Joseph's Academy on Tuesday night at Norristown High School in the PIAA District One Class AAAA state championship tournament.

The girls put on a tough performance and came out on top when the final buzzer sounded, winning the game 38-31. However, it certainly wasn't easy for the Rams.

"A lot of tribute to John [Miller]’s team," said head coach Jeff Rinehimer. "They play you tough. We knew watching them on film against Wilson, they’re going to make it tough. If we didn’t adapt to it, a lot of that was them with their toughness. They made every shot that we had to take hand in the face."

The girls opened the game back-and-forth, only coming out of the first quarter with five points to show. However, they still led the Magic, 5-3 at the end of the quarter. Junior guard Brittany Moore drove to the hoop early in the game and had a nice pickpocket soon after.

As the second quarter began, Moore hit a three-point shot about two minutes in, and followed up with a long two-pointer. Mt. Saint Joe's had to call a time out after Spring-Ford's seven-point run.

"It kind of broke the ice for us a little bit," Rinehimer said. "Got us going when things were a little haywire."

The Rams didn't score a point in the final 4:39 of the half, while the Magic went on a five-point run to bring it within two points. The Rams still led on the scoreboard 12-10, but were behind in statistics. Mt. Saint Joe's specifically led in rebounds at the half.

"You got to get in there and try to win the second-shot battle," Rinehimer said. "We got a few in the second half and we got a bit better, but they do everything. They’re not going to give you a lot of second ones. So, you have to try to earn them. They’ve got some nice seniors on their team, plus [Alex] Louin. They do a good job."

Every game seems to show a different star. Moore finished with a team-leading 13 points and added two steals. She hit two three-pointers and went 1-for-2 from the line.

"I think I just did my part for the team," said Moore. "Everyone steps up every game. We need different people every game. That’s what’s amazing about us. We can go out there and they can get the job done."

The girls never saw a deficit in the game, but did see a tie when the Magic hit a two-pointer early in the third quarter. From there, Spring-Ford outscored Mt. Saint Joe's 26-19.

Even still, the Rams had to fight for the win. Rinehimer said the Magic has a nice group of seniors, supplemented by Alex Louin. Louin scored 14 points in the game and added 12 rebounds, an assist, four blocks and two steals. On the flip side, the Rams went 11-of-22 from the line as a team.

"Don’t want it to come back and haunt you," Rinehimer said. "Early in the year we had some bumps and bruises, but we got pretty hot with it. Tonight, we could have made things a little bit easier, because weird stuff happens. They drive and you’re playing on your heels a little bit. You have to make your fouls."

The girls go on to play Cheltenham in the quarterfinals on Friday night at 6 p.m. The game will be played again at Norristown High School. The girls are excited to get a rematch against Cheltenham, which is one of two teams that beat the Rams all season long. The Rams win streak stands at 25.

"I’m really excited to play them," said Moore. "I think we have a really good chance at beating them. They’re a great team. I’m excited to get out there and play them again and show them what we’ve got."

Photos courtesy of Bruce Good (see more at http://poppopgood.com)

Spring-Ford Statistics

Points
Brittany Moore - 13
Sarah Payonk - 11
Mariah Traywick - 7
Sammy Stipa - 6
Jaida Burgess - 1

Rebounds
Traywick - 11
Payonk - 5
Courtney Hinnant - 4
Burgess - 4
Stipa - 3
Shelby Mueller - 2

Assists
Hinnant - 1
Stipa - 1
Payonk - 1

Steals
Moore - 2
Payonk - 1
Burgess - 1
Mueller - 1