Spring-Ford snares 5th place in 1-AAAA with 2OT win over C.B. West

DOYLESTOWN >> Tight basketball games at the end of the season in playoff time are usually decided by little things.

That means making or missing free throws, turnovers, loose balls and the rest of those types on the physical side of the game. Not to mention all the variables with the mental part of the game.

That part is only heightened by added pressure on nearly every possession during playoff time.

Spring-Ford’s 5-6 playback game included all of the above Friday night on Central Bucks West’s home court.

The 12th-seeded Rams beat the odds and overcame the host Bucks’ powerful home-court advantage to take home a 58-56 double-overtime victory.

Spring-Ford will open the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament playoffs next Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

Central Bucks West, which was the seventh seed in districts, beat the Rams in Royersford in the first game of the year.

Erich Hohenleitner had a game-high 15 points to led four Bucks players in double figures.

Now the Bucks will face the loser of Central York/Reading in their opening round of the state playoffs.

“We have been practicing overtime,” said Spring-Ford coach Chris Talley. “This is a resilient group . They never think about quitting. This is very characteristic. That’s what I love about them.”

Central Bucks West started fast with a 14-6 lead after one period. But the Rams bounced right back to take a 23-20 halftime edge.

The Bucks were up 36-32 after three periods. The game was tied at 45 at the end of regulation time and at 50 after the first overtime session.

Matt Gnias paced the balanced Rams with 14 points and three 3-point field goals. Nigel Cooke had 13 and Chucky Drummond 12 with two treys from the fourth quarter on. Cameron Reid ended up with 11 for four players in double figures.