Collegium Charter blasts Springfield (Montco), gets back to district final
WEST WHITELAND >> It took a bit longer than Markel Jones had hoped. But the head coach of the Collegium Charter boys’ basketball squad is now seeing the kind of team he was hoping for despite some early season struggles.
So two words to wise in District 1 Class 4A and beyond: watch out.
The Cougars opened the postseason Tuesday with a thoroughly dominating 83-61 home win against No. 4 Springfield (Montco). Top-seeded Collegium is 13-10 overall and will advance to the district title game for the second straight season to play Bishop Shanahan on Saturday at a time and location to be determined.
“I couldn’t ask for more as a coach. Our guys did a great job,” Jones said.
“We’ve really grown over the course of the season. I think it really comes down to the strength of our schedule. We play those teams so we can get prepared for games like this.”
The defending district champs never trailed, grabbed a double-digit lead in the opening quarter and then continued to build. The Cougars are riding a four-game winning streak heading into Saturday, where the winner will earn a spot in the PIAA Tournament.
“We feel very confident now,” said senior Duce Jackson. “Whenever we come out with energy, we usually get the win. If we can do that in the next game, we will be fine. And I think we can make a run in the state tournament.”
Going against a Springfield zone defense, Collegium buried nine 3-pointers, including six by junior guard Evan Schnitzius.
“We know most teams are going to play a zone against us because of our size and power. So when we are open we want to shoot it with confidence,” Jackson said.
“Evan has played, and shot, amazing this last month,” Jones added. “I think it came down to trust and confidence. They trust each other, they are trusting Evan, and he is making shots now.”
On the strength of 3-pointers by four different players, the Cougars ran off a 13-1 rally in the first quarter. And two more from beyond the arc by Schnitzius sparked another rally, 11-2, in the second quarter, and Collegium was in control 46-28 at the half.
“I think things took a little longer than I expected, but when you lose players like we did, it’s tough,” Jones explained. “I think they are finally getting used to each other. They are out there making adjustments on their own. I think they are really playing their best basketball right now.”
Collegium was relatively unbothered by Springfield’s pressure defense, but the Cougars forced 13 turnovers in the first half alone with a base defense. The margin ballooned to 64-45 through three quarters and topped out at plus-24 before the substitutes took over.
“We were in a similar situation last year, and our guys want to prove that they are good enough to get it done again this season,” Jones said. “With the start we had, a lot of people counted us out, but I think we are really hitting our stride at the right time. And we are excited for it.”
Thrust into a different role from a year ago, the 6-foot-5 Jackson is handling the ball much more this winter. On Tuesday the Coatesville native scored a game-high 23 points and hauled down 12 boards.
“I’ve been working on being more of a ball-handler and a scorer. I would say I’m more like a point-forward,” he said.
“We are using Duce’s entire skill-set,” Jones added. “As a four-man, he can do everything. He’s adjusted to playing the point. All big guys want to be guards anyway, and he is getting his chance to prove he can play outside, and I think he is doing a good job.”
Schnitzius finished with 21 points, senior forward Nick Kiley added 12 points and freshman guard Joshua Jones-Pinilla scored nine of his 11 points in the first quarter.
“This is a different team than last year’s. We just knew that we had to gel together and play as a team,” Jackson said.
“And if we play like we did tonight, we will give ourselves a good chance (Saturday),” Jones added.
Collegium Charter 83, Springfield (Montco) 61
Springfield 11 17 17 17 16 — 61
Collegium Charter 23 2318 19 — 83
SPRINGFIELD – McKenzie 4 4-5 13; Godwin 2 4-4 9; Smith 3 3-8 9; Henry 2 2-2 6; Mapps 4 0-0 8; Cooney 2 0-0 6; Hartman 2 2-3 8; Hastings 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 15-22 61.
COLLEGIUM CHARTER – Jones-Pinilla 4 2-2 11; Jackson 10 2-4 23; Pitt 2 3-4 7; Mack 4 0-0 9; Kiley 5 2-2 12; Schnitzius 7 1-1 21. Totals 32 11-13 83.
Three-pointers: McKenzie, Godwin, Cooney 2, Hartman 2, Jones-Pinilla, Jackson, Mack, Schnitzius 6.
