Spring-Ford expects tough test from Spring Grove in PIAA first round

Spring-Ford has enjoyed a fine 2015-16 boys basketball season in winning the Pioneer Athletic Conference championship and qualifying for the PIAA Championships as the fifth of 10 Class AAAA seeds from District 1.

The Rams have had many successful moments in their history. This year’s crown was their second title in three years under head coach Chris Talley, a former Spring-Ford High School and York College standout. Spring-Ford has had a number of runs in the PAC, most notably in the 1990s under former head coach Dave Caldwell.

That was when the Rams produced numerous standout scholastic players who went on to play at the next level in college.

But this coming Saturday night at 6 p.m., Spring-Ford (22-7 overall) will play its first-round state tournament playoff game against Spring Grove, the No. 3 seed from District 3, at West York High School.

The Rockets (24-4 overall) won their first YAIAA league championship since 1971, a time span of some 45 years. Spring Grove also made its first championship game appearance in 22 years during the 2015-16 campaign.

Spring Grove defeated Central York, 42-36, in the league championship game at York College’s Grumbacher Center.

James Brooks is the head coach of the Rockets. He was just a 1-year-old when Spring Grove captured its last league crown. Now, his son, Eli Brooks, a 6-0 junior guard, is the star Rocket player. Eli produced a huge fourth quarter in the title game and ended the night with a game-high 26 points, including a pair of 3-point field goals. Eli has already received 12 Division I collegiate offers as a junior.

Spring-Ford edged host Central Bucks West, 58-56 in double overtime, in the 5/6 playback game on Feb. 26 in Doylestown. In that game, 6-0 senior guard Matt Gnias led the Rams with 14 points, including three 3-pointers. He was followed in the scoring column by 6-0 senior guard Nigel Cooke (13), 6-0 junior guard Chucky Drummond (12) and 6-5 senior forward Cameron Reid (11). Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 6-0 junior guard, chipped in with six points on two second-period treys while 5-10 sophomore guard Nestor Diaz had two points.

Danny Zack, a 6-3 senior forward; Adam Geremski, a 6-2 junior forward; and Charles Scalies, a 5-9 senior guard, also saw action for the Rams during the last outing. JT Cuthbertson, a 6-2 senior forward, also sees some playing time for the Rams.

Talley’s assistant coaches are Matt Kurtz, Dan Hoff, Randy Reber, GT Pufko and Karl Rosenfeld.

The remainder of Spring Grove’s usual players includes junior shooting forward Jake Messersmith (6-1, 180), sophomore point guard Drew Gordon, senior point guard Grant Wierman, Liam Flaherty, Darin Gordon, Jonathan Sager and Austin Panter. Talley described Darin Gordon as a 6-3 guard.

“He is really good, too,” said Talley. “He is the X factor. He can hurt you just as well. He can shoot and he is good in transition. He is an overall solid player.”

Spring Grove’s last game prior to the state tournament was a 54-37 victory over Berks County Division I kingpin Wilson West Lawn on Feb. 25. In that one, Eli Brooks fired home 24 points with four 3-pointers while Darin Gordon had 19 and Grant Wierman had six with one trey.

The Rockets burst to a 12-0 lead after one quarter in that contest and stretched the advantage to 30-10 by halftime.

“They are not very big at all, but they are quick and tough,” said Talley. “They keep putting pressure on you and are constantly moving.”

Talley compared Spring Grove to Pennridge, a District 1 team Spring-Ford met earlier during the playoffs.

“They (Rockets) are not as fast-paced as Pennridge,” said Talley. “They set a lot of screens and try to spread you out.”