Spring-Ford uses fast start to vault Perkiomen Valley, 61-50
ROYERSFORD >> Spring-Ford used its defensive pressure to create an up-tempo game from the start of its game against Perkiomen Valley Thursday night.
That push created a 15-point halftime lead for the Rams, which was too much for the visiting Vikings to overcome in a 61-50 Spring-Ford victory in Pioneer Athletic Conference action.
Freshman point guard Lucy Olsen scored 15 points and Rachel Christman and Abby Goodrich had 11 points apiece to pace the deep and talented Rams.
For Perkiomen Valley (1-1 PAC, 2-3 overall), senior forward Megan Jonassen turned in a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and senior Taylor Hamm finished with 12 points and seven rebounds as part of the twin towers effort.
“We needed to get a quick, fast start,” said Spring-Ford coach Mickey McDaniel. “Our defense controlled the tempo that got our offense into the game. We did a real nice job of that.”
McDaniel felt his girls were able to step up the intensity at the defensive job in executing their game plan perfectly.
“We really love this group of girls,” McDaniel said. “On offense, we have a lot of different pieces. We played eight or nine and we can go beyond that. We have played all 13 in some games. One thing we have to use to our advantage is our depth.”
It’s been a fine start to the season for the undefeated Rams, who are 4-0 and 2-0 atop the Liberty standings in the early going.
Perkiomen Valley coach John Strawoet said his team was a little flat at the beginning of the game.
“I told them at halftime, let’s win the second half,” said Strawoet. “And we did that. We won the second half, 30-26. But you can’t put yourself in a 15-point hole. They keep pressure on defense, up tempo, up tempo.
“They take you out of your offense. In the second half, we executed much better. We have to learn from this game as we go forward.”
Alex Blomstrom scored nine points with one 3-pointer. Strawoet liked the job turned in by senior Brynne Wacker during the second half.
Sophomore Alyssa Yuan (eight points), senior Sarah Cooper (seven), junior Cassie Marte (five, one 3-pointer) and senior Ali Higgins supplemented the Rams’ effort with scoring and all-around solid play.
Spring-Ford led 18-13 after the first period, taking a 10-9 lead on Olsen’s driving layup and then a Cooper drive. They finished the quarter with jump shots by Goodrich and Olsen at the buzzer.
In the second period, the Rams led 21-15 before going on a 6-0 run to take a 27-15 lead with 4:47 remaining in the half on a 3-point basket by Marte from the right corner.
