Spring-Ford’s fast start enough to subdue Norristown

ROYERSFORD >> Spring-Ford High boys basketball coach Chris Talley is looking for a few good men.

That would be men who are willing to give up scoring points in order to stop the opposition from getting on the scoreboard.

After Thursday night’s 82-77 win over Norristown, Talley is still looking, although he believes he’ll eventually find what he’s looking for.

Chucky Drummond had 22 points, 19 in the first half, to help the Rams overcome the Eagles, but it wasn’t the effort Talley was searching for.

The Rams broke on top, 9-0, in the first quarter, and milked that lead, eventually going up, 43-32, at the half, with Drummond leading the way with 19 points.

But instead of looking to shut down Norristown in the second half, the Rams attempted to add to their lead – and that attitude did not suit Talley.

“It’s two nights in a row we haven’t shown that killer edge on the defensive end,” Talley said. “Our players seem to be worrying about scoring points instead of stopping the other team.

“It’s kind of been the Achilles heel to our season so far. We get off to a good start, but we don’t have that defensive edge we need.”

Drummond had 11 first-quarter points as the Rams broke out on top, eventually leading 25-15 after one quarter and 43-32 at halftime.

The Eagles, who got 22 points from Kurahn Clark and 14 from Mike Dorman, quickly cut into that deficit at the outset of the second half, only to temporarily thwarted by a nine-point quarter by Noah Baker and some key buckets by Austin Hokanson.

Stiill, the visitors persisted, and began a late run in the fourth quarter.

That run was keyed by Clark, who had five points in the third quarter and seven more in the fourth.

Norristown got within five points with 46 seconds left, but would not get closer.

Meanwhile, Talley continued to stress stops instead of scoring.

“That’s what we’re looking for,” the coach said. “We’re looking for someone to come into the game and guard somebody at that point.

“With a big lead, we’re looking for stops, and we haven’t gotten them over the last two games.”

Ultimately, the Rams did just enough to prevail, but Talley was hot smiling in the victors’ locker room

“I think, eventually, we’ll get that defensive mindset. But for now, we’re still looking.”