Chill foul shooting pushes Springfield past Harriton

SPRINGFIELD >>  Springfield High missed 14 attempts from the free-throw line in last Saturday’s nonleague victory over Downingtown West.

That effort did not sit well with anyone.

“So, when we came to practice Monday,” coach Ky McNichol said, “it was 14 foul shots to start.”

All in all, the Cougars have been a pretty solid foul-shooting team throughout their 16-win campaign.  But they needed to be better Tuesday against a hungry Harriton team looking to clinch a spot in Saturday’s Central League playoffs.

Springfield shot 30-for-37 from the foul line, including 18 of 21 in the fourth quarter, in a 57-39 triumph over Harriton.  The Cougars have won six straight.

“This takes team take a lot of pride, when we’re winning, to step to the line and finish a game,” McNichol said. “They take a lot of pride in being able to put the team on their back and knock down foul shots.”

Among them are freshmen Jordan D’Ambrosio and Belle Mastropietro, who combined to go 18-of-23 at the line.  In the fourth quarter, junior Maggie O’Connell went 4-for-4 and senior Madison D’Ambrosio knocked down all six of her attempts.

Springfield can shoot from anywhere on the floor. For instance, O’Connell and Mastropietro jumpstarted things by each draining a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter as the Cougars jumped to an 11-1 advantage.

“Every time someone steps up at the line, they have to be confident,” said O’Connell, who had 12 points. “And they’re crucial in a game where it’s close.”

The Cougars leaned on their foul-shooting prowess to pull away after the Rams stormed back from a double digit deficit to grab a short-lived lead early in the  final period. Harriton freshman Christina Brown (17 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals) gave her team its first lead with a three-point play. Moments later, though, Madison D’Ambrosio went to the charity stripe to begin a run of 16 consecutive points scored by the Cougars.

For Springfield, it helped that Harriton seemed to be in foul trouble from the opening tip.  Top guard Sophie Grady fouled out early in the final period.

Springfield stymied Harriton with a 1-3-1 defense early as the Cougars led by as many as 15 points.

“We were focused on stopping Sophie,” said O’Connell. “”She’s a great player who can drive and score. We knew what she can do.”

The victory is another reminder that Springfield might be the best in the Central League. The Cougars (16-4, 12-3) are in position to earn one of four spots in the league playoffs, which get under way Saturday. Better yet, Springfield can earn at least one home game in the District One Class AAAA playoffs.

“This is really awesome. It’s going to be my first playoff experience of my high school career,” said Madison D’Ambrosio, who was sidelined with foul issues while going against Harriton big Greta Stahl (eight points, two blocks). “It feels good to finally get it my senior year.”

The freshman Mastropietro led three Cougars in double figures with 18 points. She also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Jordan D’Ambrosio,  Springfield’s other big-time freshman starter, added 12 points and one steal.

In other Central League action:

Garnet Valley 47, Haverford 39 >> Maddie Ireland lit up the scoreboard for 21 points as the Jaguars suffocated Haverford with their zone defense in the fourth quarter.

Ashley Murphy had 12 points and Amanda Battista scored 10 for Haverford (12-8)/

Penncrest 47, Radnor 36 >> Katie Russo scored six points to spark a 19-3 fourth-quarter run by the Lions (11-10, 9-6). Megan Arndt had a team-high 10 points, and Allison Lanzone paced Radnor with 11.

Marple Newtown 48, Strath Haven 45 >> Olivia Young scored 17 points for the Tigers in an overtime win. Katie Fisher had 20 points for the Panthers.

Lower Merion 47, Ridley 42 >> Hailee Mayer paced the Green Raiders (9-12) with 18 points.

In the Del Val League:

Penn Wood 42, Interboro 29 >> The Patriots (14-6, 7-0) went unbeaten in the Del Val for the third straight year. Leading the way was Carle Andrews (13 points) and Joy Morton (11 points, 11 boards, six assists). Penn Wood was without All-Delco senior Dahnye Redd for a second straight game.

Gina McNamee front Interboro with 12 points.

Academy Park 63, Chester 49 >> Mayah Woodton (25) and Trea-Sure Ketter (21) both hit the 20-point mark for the Knights (10-10, 4-2). Shod’deah Kelly paced Chester with 14 points.

In the Catholic League:

Archbishop Carroll 56, Lansdale Catholic 43 >> Bella Sorrentino had a strong all-around game with 16 points, nine rebounds and four steals to lead Carroll. Molly Masciantonio poured in a game-high 21 points.

Bonner & Prendergast 72, Hallahan 29 >> Emily Monaghan had a game-high 18 points on six 3-pointers for the Pandas. Caroline Manfre scored 13 points and Princess Clemons added 12.

Cardinal O’Hara 67, St. Hubert 36 >> All-Delcos Mary Sheehan and Hannah Nihill guided the Lions (17-2, 10-1) to an easy win. Emily Helms added 11.

In the Catholic Academies:

Gwynedd Mercy 60, Sacred Heart 32 >> In her second game back from a season-long injury (knee), Madison Schneider had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Lions (5-14).  

In the Ches-Mont League:

Great Valley 46, Sun Valley 17 >> Kate Lannon had 10 points for the Vanguards (7-12).

In the Inter-Ac League:

Agnes Irwin 53, Baldwin 35 >> Sophomore Alex Blomstrom hit her career 100th 3-pointer as she powered the Owls with a game-high 25 points. Gianna Napoleon chipped in 11 points for AIS.

Episcopal Academy 59, Penn Charter 53 >> Luca Mamula netted 14 of her career-high 23 points in the second half for Episcopal (11-7), which was 13-for-17 from the free-throw line in the final quarter. Elodie Furey added 15 points.