Chevalier, Webb send Springfield faithful home happy

SPRINGFIELD >> Springfield basketball coach Kevin McCormick was happy to see the school’s student body well-represented in the stands as the Cougars hosted Wissahickon in a PIAA District One Class 5A playback game Wednesday night.

The students who watched the home team earn a 68-62 decision were happy to join in a post-game celebration as Springfield earned the chance to compete in the state tournament for the first time since 2010.

It wasn’t easy, though.

The Cougars won despite falling behind by 14 points in the third period, when they made only one field goal in eight minutes. There was an intentional foul against Springfield that helped Wissahickon built its lead by scoring 12 consecutive points.

The strangest situation during all of this craziness occurred when Trojans junior Marlyn Jordan was fouled on his way to the hoop. The ball never did go through the basket, but the officials conferred before ruling that the goal counted. They never did make it clear that they were awarding two points because of a violation such as goaltending.

“I’m glad it didn’t turn out to be a one- or two-point game in their favor,” McCormick said with a smile.

Springfield will visit Chester Friday night in the district’s fifth-place game. Among the things that made that possible was senior Zach Chevalier tossing in a 3-point shot at the buzzer ending the third period to cut Wissahickon’s lead to 10. The Cougars got hot from the floor from there and took advantage of the double-bonus from the foul line for the final 5:43 of the game.

Mike Webb, who was scoreless in the opening half, went 4-for-4 from the floor in the last period after hitting three free throws in the third to join Kyle Long (nine points) in pacing the Springfield offense over the last eight minutes.

“We just carried over the momentum from that shot,” said Chevalier, who was 3-for-3 from behind the arc. “We turned things up, got steals and played harder.”

McCormick didn’t hesitate to pass out praise.

“Zach’s shots were big-time,” he said. “Mike was big-time. …

“That team was very athletic. When we went with our smaller lineup, we wanted to see if they could keep up with our guards. We hit some big 3’s, and now we get to go to Chester Friday night.”

Long said Springfield’s defensive efforts in the final period paid huge dividends.

“We put the pressure on them and made them uncomfortable,” Long said. “We hustled and got steals. This is really big getting to states because Springfield doesn’t get there every year. Now we’re playing at Chester, and I’ve heard about how they have all those (state championship) banners hanging up in their gym over there.”

Chevalier scored 12 points, and Kyle Sullivan, who struggled with his 3-point shooting in the second half, finished with 11 points, five rebounds and one steal for Springfield. Ja’Den McKenzie added nine points.

“It was good to see the student body here tonight,” McCormick said. “I’m glad they had the chance to be a factor late in the game. That’s why it was so important for us to have this game played at home.”

McCormick and his Cougars will be happy to be in their home gym next week getting ready to take part in the state tournament for the first time since assistant coach Wally Rutecki was wearing a Springfield uniform.

“That sounds good,” said Long, who was a fourth grader when that group of Cougars was representing Springfield.