Springfield brought the defense to its first round PIAA Class 6A game Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars limited Abraham Lincoln to eight first-half points on the way to a 59-43 win.
The victory moves the Cougars (14-14) to the second round to take on Spring-Ford, the ninth seed from District 1 who shocked District 2 champ Scranton on Saturday. It’s Springfield’s first win in states since 2007 in just their third appearance since that run to the Class AAA quarterfinals. They had won a game in the largest class, AAAA, the year prior.
It also means the last team into the 24-team District 1 field and the eighth seed out of District 1 isn’t done yet.
Pat Flaherty led the way with 15 points, including 7-for-8 from the line in the fourth quarter. Chris Dolan scored eight of his 13 points in the first quarter. Springfield led 19-2 after one and 29-8 at the break.
Colin Treude added 11 points. Ryan Johnson and Jake Adams had nine apiece.
In Class 2A:
Constitution 77, Delco Christian 58 >> For the second straight year, the Knights’ season ended at the hands of Constitution in the first round. District 1 runner-up DC (20-9) trailed by 16 at half, undone by a 24-12 disadvantage in the second quarter.
Khamai Orange led the Knights with 24 points. Caleb Jameson added 11 points, and Josiah Gaines chipped in nine.
