Spring-Ford’s depth proves too much in win over Methacton

EAGLEVILLE >> It was a physical game, and there were 51 free throw attempts to show for it.

Host Methacton doubled up Spring-Ford in attempts, 36-15, and made 12 more foul shots, 23-11, but the resilient Rams still managed to win by 16, 67-51, Thursday night in a PAC-10 tussle.

Spring-Ford’s depth was a big reason for the victory (four players in double figures), as was how deep the Rams reached into their effort tank in order to match and surpass gritty Methacton’s energy. While it was physical, Spring-Ford’s Amy Roth noted an important mental aspect as well that carried the Rams over the hump, especially in tight stages during the contest’s middle portions.

“I definitely think our mental toughness helped us win this game,” Roth said. “Even in foul trouble, we were never going to stop or let up. We were always going to be aggressive. It was a team effort tonight. Everyone came out and gave 100 percent on the court.”

Spring-Ford can play in explosive bursts, and that trait turned a tight game into a double-digit outcome. Methacton led by five after the first quarter, trailed by only two at the break, and with five minutes left in the third quarter the Lady Warriors were down by just four, 37-33.

Next thing you knew, the Rams were up by 20 (62-42) with four minutes left to play.

As Spring-Ford (7-1 in the PAC-10, 9-7 overall) stayed a step behind Boyertown and Perkiomen Valley in the Liberty Division, front-court force Maddie Haney led the way for the Rams with 16 points, followed by point guard Sydney Wagner’s 14, 11 from forward Emily Walker and 10 from Roth. It was quite an overall effort to overcome the foul issues that started with Methacton already in the bonus late in the first quarter.

“One thing we’ve got to do is play defense with our feet,” Spring-Ford coach Mickey McDaniel said. “We were trying to play maybe too much with our hands. We reached in a number of times. But I’m really proud of the kids.”

Hard-driving guard Ryan DeOrio led the Lady Warriors with 17 points. Forward Jackie Cerchio, a whirlwind impact player on both ends of the court all night, added 13 for Methacton (3-5 in the league, 8-9 overall).

Cerchio scored nine of Methacton’s 12 points in the third quarter. The Lady Warriors had a bonus chance to grab this game in that frame when, trailing just 41-38, again reaching the bonus free throw situation with 2:59 left in the third. But the Lady Warriors missed two front ends, and Spring-Ford got two quick baskets to start creating some distance. Roth drove for a conventional three-point play and Julianna Alessandroni hit a three-pointer to make it 47-38.

Soon the margin increased as Spring-Ford’s traps and overall defense fueled their transition game. A Roth drive, Alessandroni jumper, and inside buckets from Walker and Haney maintained the momentum.

“I think a lot of it came right off the defense, and we started to run the ball down the floor,” Roth said. “Our passes were spot on to our shooters.”

“We came out strong in the third quarter, and picked it up as a team,” Haney said.

“(Methacton coach) Craig (Kaminski) does an awesome job,” McDaniel said. “You know his kids are going to play hard, and they’re just not going to relent. They stay in there and they’re going to be relentless. They kept hanging, and fortunately we made some critical shots, got some good steals, got to the free throw line, and we were able to survive.”