Lady Rams Headed to Finals with CR South Win

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I believe that we can win! I believe that we can win! I believe that we can win!

An ongoing chant that lasted well into the fourth quarter resonated through the enormous gym at Norristown High School on Wednesday night. The chant was administered by a large group of shirtless, painted-up Council Rock South fans, who gave the Rams girls a hard time all night.

In the end, though, the Spring-Ford girls basketball squad stood victorious and silenced the Council Rock South crowd, winning the game 56-50, and sealing their fate to head on to Villanova on Friday night to face North Penn in the District One Class AAAA Championship. That marked Spring-Ford's 22nd straight win, a school record. North Penn captured a 36-31 win over Downingtown West on Wednesday night.

"We maybe got a little tight on some things [because of the crowd], but they’ve been around," said head coach Jeff Rinehimer. "They play enough games. I know you don’t get an arena like that all the time."

As the girls battled through the first quarter, it became evident that it was anyone's game. The energy from the Council Rock South crowd was high and the score was low - back and forth through the first eight minutes of play, leaving the score at 11-10 in favor of the Golden Hawks.

"We actually had five home games in a row," Rinehimer said. "So, now all of a sudden we’re in a different place. They were getting used to things, getting relaxed and, hey, Rock South has a lot to do with a lot of that stuff – the good defense they play and they had the eraser in the middle."

But as the girls got more comfortable through the second quarter, things got out of hand and the Rams capitalized, going on a 14-4 run, sparked by senior reserve Jaida Burgess, who scored a free through, a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer, and sophomore starter Sammy Stipa, who contributed a free throw, two 2-pointers, and a 3-pointer in that run.

"Before the game, we all knew they were a great team," said Stipa. "We knew we had to stick together no matter what. We had teamwork the whole time, communicated and were able to get the win."

Stipa had 11 points and four rebounds in the game. Burgess led the team with 19 points and contributed six rebounds, three assists and a steal.

"She's a great spark off the bench," Rinehimer said of Burgess. "She gives us whatever the team needs. She has a good feel for the game. If we need offense, she always plays the D. She’s good at rebounding."

At the half, the score was 26-17, one of the biggest leads the girls had all night. But even still, they knew the job wasn't done yet.

"Even though we were up, we acted like it was 0-0 again," Stipa explained. "We wanted to keep the pressure up and keep our composure no matter what happens."

One of the big goals for the Lady Rams was stopping Alex Wheatley, the Golden Hawks' star player. Wheatley was not quiet in the game, scoring 26 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and putting up an assist, a block and a steal.

"You have to pick your poison with her," said Rinehimer. "She’ll run on the floor, get to the glass, she has nice moves. Then you just try to make it tough. Hopefully, we tried to make her earn those 26 points."

However, that's primarily the type of competition that keeps the Rams going.

"We’re playing against a great group of girls," Burgess said. "It’s phenomenal. I didn’t go up against this kind of competition in Idaho and it’s amazing how good these girls are, how talented they are, how skilled they are. We’re all here and each team is making the other better. That’s what it’s about."

The girls didn't look back, despite seeing the Golden Hawks come within two points with a minute left to go in the game. Burgess and junior Sarah Payonk followed up with two foul shots a piece to make the final 56-50.

The championship will be played on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Villanova University. Rinehimer said defeating North Penn (21-5) is not going to be an easy task.

"North Penn is a tough team - they've got big, talented players and are well-coached," Rinehimer concluded. "It's going to be a neat venue to play at, the girls will really enjoy it. It's going to be another tough one, though."