PIAA Playoffs Preview: Battle tested Springfield ready for states
PHILADELPHIA — The low point in Springfield’s season came during Christmas break.
While many of their Central League cohorts were at home, the Cougars challenged themselves by competing in the Cardinal O’Hara Christmas tournament, which was by far the top showcase in the county during the holiday season.
It didn’t go well for Springfield, suffering defeats to Episcopal Academy and Notre Dame of the Inter-AC League. They should have beaten one of those teams, and looking at the Cougars today, it’s not outlandish to suggest they should have won both contests. The poor showing dropped Springfield’s overall record to 4-4.
“I think we were doubted a lot this year,” senior guard Alyssa Long said, “but we always stuck together.”
The Cougars have posted a 19-1 record since Dec. 28. Their only loss came in early February to Ridley in the Central League final.
Coach Ky McNichol got the best of her players after the holidays, culminating last Saturday afternoon at Temple University’s Liacouras Center with the District 1 5A championship.
The Cougars begin their quest for a state title Saturday afternoon against Lower Dauphin (15-9), which claimed eighth place in District 3. Tip off is scheduled for 5 o’clock at Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Junior Alexa Abbonizio is the team’s prime scoring option and a 1,000-point scorer. If Abbonizio is hitting shots early, the Cougars are in good shape.
Long’s remarkable senior leadership and clutch shooting (8-for-8 at the foul line in the fourth quarter) propelled Springfield to its second district crown in four seasons.
Defensively, the Cougars have gotten strong performances from seniors Carli Johnston and Jordan Postiglione and junior Rachel Conran. Freshmen Lexi Aaron and Mia Valerio have flourished in bench roles.
Junior guard Katie Weigle is one to watch on the Falcons.
With their December struggles far behind them, the Cougars are built to make a run to Hershey.
“The team has a strong bond and something we always talk about is staying together, playing together,” McNichol said. ‘This wasn’t the same team as the last few years, but they made their mark. They believed in each other and they never quit. I’m proud of these kids. … and it’s going to be fun to see what they can do in states.”
In other Class 5A games Saturday involving Delco teams:
Radnor vs. Twin Valley at Kutztown University, 1 >> The Raiders took fourth place in District 1 with a loss to Mount St. Joseph last week.
Radnor senior forward Ellie Mueller and junior guard Brienne Williams lead the way for the Raiders (17-11). Mueller is the program’s all-time leading scorer.
“We are tickled to be here and still playing basketball,” coach Mark Jordan said. “Hopefully we will recharge our batteries and try to shock the world in states.”
Twin Valley (21-7) fell to Gettysburg in the District 3 championship game. Peyton McDaniel, who has scored more than 2,000 points for the Raiders, is an outstanding shooting guard. McDaniel is averaging roughly 23 points per game this season.
Twin Valley plays a man-to-man defense and is allowing 38 points per game. Radnor is at its best when its pushing the ball and scoring in transition. That was the case back in the quarterfinal round of the district tournament when Mueller went for a triple-double, including a career-high 33 points in a victory against Penn Wood.
Arch. Carroll vs. Mount St. Joseph at Methacton, 1 >> It’s been an up-and-down 2019-20 campaign for last year’s Class 5A runner-up. The Patriots (14-10) failed to qualify for Catholic League semifinals for the first time in more than a decade.
However, with All-Delco guard and 1,000-point scorer Erin Sweeney showing the way, it would surprise no one if the Patriots hit their stride in the state tournament.
The Magic were eliminated by eventual champion Springfield in the District 1 playoffs. The tourney’s third-place finishers have one of the best talents in Southeastern Pennsylvania in junior forward Grave Niekelski. Lauren Vessey and Kelly Rothenberg are sharp-shooting guards
In Class 4A:
Bonner-Prendergast vs Jim Thorpe at Leighton Elementary, 2 >> The Pandas (8-16) finished third in District 12 after exiting in the quarterfinal round of the Catholic League playoffs. After advancing to the final four of the 4A tournament last season, the Pandas have gone through a rebuilding campaign. Senior forward Alexis Gleason and sophomore guard Bridie McCann have been their best players.
Jim Thorpe (21-4) is the runner-up from District 11. The Olympians feature four sophomore starters, including top scorer Leila Hurley, who is averaging 16.5 points oer game.
In Class 1A:
Chester Charter SA vs. Susquehanna at Oxford, 7 >> In their third year as a varsity program, the Sabers (17-8) advanced to states for a second year in a row. They suffered a blowout loss to undefeated Jenkintown in the District 1 final. Ceyrah Williams is among the Chester Charter’s top performers.
Susquehanna — also nicknamed the Sabers — claimed second place in District 2.
Friday
In Class 6A:
Cardinal O’Hara vs. Souderton at Bonner-Prendergast, 5 >> The game was moved from its original scheduled time of 5:30.
The Lions bounced back from a semifinal loss in the Catholic League playoffs by winning the District 12 title last month. Despite being the No. 1 team in Delco for most of the season, the Lions remain a young team, but one that has improved tremendously under second-year coach Chrissie Doogan.
Sophomore guard Sydni Scott, who is averaging better than 13 points per game, earned All-Catholic League first-team honors. Junior guard Amaris Baker, junior guard/small forward Siobhan Boylan and sophomore forward Maggie Doogan have been excellent this season.
Last year, as a young and inexperienced squad, the Lions won two games in the PIAA tournament. They are poised to take another step or two forward this year.
In Class 2A:
Sacred Heart vs. Tacony Charter at Lower Moreland, 6 >> Behind guard Kayleigh Doyle, the Lions (7-16) captured their fourth straight district title last month.
Tacony Charter (10-10) is the third-place team from District 12.
