Norristown topples Springfield

WEST NORRITON>> Springfield High’s girls basketball team has done its share of winning this season.
But for some reason, it hasn’t found a way to solve Norristown.
Their fortunes didn’t improve Tuesday night.
Not content with doubling up the Spartans back in December, the Eagles put it to Springfield again, riding 18 points apiece from sisters Patti and Lauren Fortescue to a dominating 70-29 win.
The Eagles weren’t to be denied, building a 22-9 lead after the first quarter and not looking back.
“(Springfield) has played so well against every other team, but we seem to be able to handle them, and did it again tonight,” said Norristown head coach Vince Catanzaro. “Molly (Springfield’s standout Molly Dugan) is tough, but we’ve been able to keep her under control.”
The Eagles did so again Tuesday, holding Dugan to 13 points.
And while putting the figurative shackles on Dugan, Norristown ran, rebounded and scored like what it’s desperate to become — a District One playoff team.
“From where we are, it’s not going to be easy,” Catanzaro said. “We’re going to have to get some wins over these next few games.”
If the Eagles play as they did Tuesday, that may not be as tall an order as it appears.
Norristown got plenty of scoring from the Fortescues, double figure rebounds from both Taijah James and Devon Morse and an inspired floor game from point guard Beyonce Collins.
Meanwhile, the Spartans did not shoot well, got few second-shot opportunities and appeared to be a step behind all evening.
“What didn’t go wrong?” Spartans head coach Bill Krewson asked. “This is a long season, and every once in a while something like this happens.
“Right now it’s all about fixing what went wrong.”
The Eagles broke out on top, using balanced scoring and eight first-quarter rebounds by Morse to go up by double figures.
By halftime, the Eagles had a 47-16 bulge, and were not about to look back.
“We put two people up on the ball and we ran whenever we got the chance,” James said.
“We’re playing very hungry,” Morse added. “This was a big game for us. We wanted to get out to fast start, and we played tight defense, played fast and shot well.”
By halftime, the verdict was secured and it was time for the Eagles to look ahead.
“We’ve been able to handle Springfield, now we need to play this well against other teams in our league,” Catanzaro said. “We need some more wins like this in the next couple weeks.”
Actually, Catanzaro admitted, he’d be content with victories of any kind.
As for the Eagles players, their confidence is off the charts, although some of them have tempered their enthusiasm.
“We’re definitely looking to take the league,” Morse said.
“Hopefully,” cautioned James, “hopefully.”