Sebring doesn't back down, but Springfield prevails in the end

The Tigers (10-3, 6-1) broke it open in the second half.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Because of its height advantage, Springfield High's inside game worked well in the first half.
That and nine 3-point baskets in the second half broke it wide open, as the Tigers defeated Sebring 70-47 Tuesday in an Inter-County League game in the Springfield gymnasium.
"We try to play strong inside," said Springfield's 6-foot-9 senior Zach DeJane. "We slacked off on defense and didn't run our offense the way we should in the second quarter."
Sebring starts slowly
The Tigers got out to a quick 8-0 lead and Sebring didn't get on the board until Michael Weekley connected on a 3-pointer with 4 minutes, 23 seconds remaining.
Springfield pushed it back up to 15-7, then the Trojans (5-7, 2-5) went on an 8-0 run to take a 17-15 lead.
A basket by Jesse James gave the Trojans their final lead at 19-18. Ahead 22-21 at halftime, the Tigers (10-3, 6-1) pulled away for a 51-33 advantage in the third period.
"Our guards [Mike Kempher, David McClearn and Dane Dotson] shot well and started to pop threes in the second half," said DeJane.
"Our shot selection was poor in the first half," added Springfield coach Grant Spaite. "They [Sebring] were aggressive in the second quarter, came out quick, made some shots and played fundamental sound basketball.
"We tried to make it an up and down game and just had to keep battling throughout," added Spaite.
Held their ground
Sebring coach Brian Clark said, "I am proud of the way we challenged them inside. We held our own on the boards and won the rebounding battle 34-32.
"It's a rebuilding year for us. We are young, starting four underclassmen, two of them sophomores," said Clark.
"Springfield is very talented, powerful, has outstanding balance, with height, shooting, and passing," he added.
"They are long-armed on defense, tough to play against in the passing lanes," said Clark. "We forced them to make 3-pointers and they proved they are able to do that."
The Tigers and Mineral Ridge are tied for first place in the ICL standings and Clark said, "It's an outstanding league this year and Springfield has a chance to finish first."
Dotson, Kempher and McClearn each hit three 3-pointers and scored 19, 15 and 15 points, respectively.
DeJane added 16 points and he grabbed 13 rebounds. McClearn had six steals and Andrew Schuler had five assists.
Top Trojans
Sebring had three players in double figures. Jon Springer led the way with 14, James chipped in with 11 and Zach Tieche finished with 10 and he pulled down 12 rebounds.
Tieche hit two 3-point baskets in the first half, while Weekley, James, John Springer and Jake Scott each hit one.
miller@vindy.com