Hatboro-Horsham holds off Springfield-Montco
HORSHAM >> Chris Edwards had a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Edwards secured a critical steal and drew 13 fouls to thwart Springfield’s rally in a 39-33 Hatters win at Hatboro-Horsham High School.
Edwards had 18 points with 16 of them coming in the second half.
“I was just communicating with my teammates,” Edwards said. “It was just knowing my role on the team and knowing where I stand and what I have to do on the court.”
The Cougars got the score within two points twice in the fourth quarter.
“They made us do a lot of things we didn’t want to with the ball,” Hatboro-Horsham coach Edward Enoch said. “We had a lot of turnovers in the second half that hurt us.”
This was a battle of 1-1 teams as each team tried to get above .500.
Springfield traded points with Hatboro-Horsham in the first quarter and eventually claimed a 9-8 late.
After the Hatters tied the game to start the second quarter, things went south for the Cougars.
First the bench of Hatboro-Horsham helped the Hatters go on a 10-1 run led by Jake Schalki.
Schalki grabbed nine rebounds and went hard to the basket for five points.
Second, the Springfield shooters went ice cold to score only one point in the second quarter.
This put the Cougars down 18-10 at the half.
“We came off the bus not ready to play,” Springfield coach Kevin McCormick said. “We were coming off a big win in overtime yesterday and we are just rebuilding the program. They are buying in to the system and I think they felt too good about last night and didn’t come ready to play tonight.”
Springfield came out and scored the opening basket in the third quarter and ended the frame on a 6-3 run to trail 26-19.
The Cougars continued the momentum in the final quarter on a 7-2 scoring streak to get within 28-26.
Edwards then turned to his leadership skills to turn the tide back toward Hatboro-Horsham.
He is also the quarterback for the Hatters football team and credited his experience for helping him in this situation.
“Well I guess I just have to bring my leadership skills out here,” Edwards said. “On the football field I have to be twice as much the leader, but here on the basketball court I know coach Ed has a big role for me out here. I just try to come in here and do as much as I can for this team and my coaches and this program.”
Edwards stole a ball to break up the Springfield momentum and drew fouls down the stretch.
Springfield kept the game close, but couldn’t quite complete the comeback.
The Cougars’ Quentin Johnson dunked the basketball through the net as time expired, but it was not enough to keep the Hatters from going 2-1.
“I am proud that they scraped,” McCormick said. We just didn’t close. I have to find a closer. We don’t have one yet.”
HATBORO-HORSHAM 39, SPRINGFIELD-MONTCO 33
HATBORO-HORSHAM 8 10 8 13 – 39
SPRINGFIELD 9 1 9 14 – 33
HH – Chris Edwards 11 11-15 18, Erick Dixon 3 3-8 5, Jake Schalki 3 3-7 5, Kyle Hogan 2 2-8 3, Solomon McNair 2 2-8 2, Khalid Johnson 1 1-7 2, Brandon Hooks 1 1-4 2, Dylan Schumaker 2 2-2 2. Totals: 25 25-59 39.
SF – Quentin Johnson 5 5-12 8, 3 3-9 6, DeJaun Waters 3 3-7 5, Jordan Pauls 3 3-7 5, Ajai Heath 2 2-3 4, Deaseeth Kouakou 2 2-9 3, Wilson Krewson 2 2-8 2, Samari Savoy 0 0-1 0. Totals 17 17-47 33.
3-pointers HH – 0; SF – Ben Rittenhouse, Jordan Pauls.
