Brink's vision comes to fruition

SALEM -- Throughout 22 straight victories, the Springfield High boys basketball team has resembled its coach. They are both fearless.
Jeff Brink hasn't hidden his desire to face the team many consider to be the best in the state, regardless of division -- Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
Friday, he and the Tigers get that opportunity in the Division III district championship game at Salem.
But this is more than just a game between two teams that have a combined record of 43-1.
Tigers' purpose: "We're playing for every public school in Ohio," said Brink, after the Tigers defeated Waterloo 83-48 Tuesday in the district semifinal.
"We stand for what's good about high school basketball," he said. "We're a public school, a bunch of farm kids in a rural community.
"We're representing all these kids that may never have this opportunity -- to play a parochial school, a powerhouse, with their all-star team."
St. Vincent-St. Mary, the defending Division III state champion and USA Today's fifth-rated team, breezed through its first two games in Salem, against the Tri-County League's United (99-42) and Lisbon (94-58).
The Irish's third game, however, may be the toughest of them all.
"What I have to do is convince our guys that this team we're playing on Friday is better than the other two they played," St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Keith Dambrot said.
Team's forte: The Irish thrive on their pressure defense, which forces their opponents out of the game early. Just ask Lisbon, which suffered 17 first-quarter turnovers and trailed 39-6 Monday.
"I haven't seen Springfield in situations like we can put them in," Dambrot said. "We'll find out if they can handle the pressure, 'cause we're going to come at them like we always do. If they handle the ball well, they'll be in the game."
That will be the challenge for Springfield, which most likely will unveil a few gimmicks to slow the Irish.
"We've been studying their team for months, so hopefully we're well-prepared," Brink said. "Our kids are confident."
But the Tigers also respect St. Vincent-St. Mary, Brink said.
"A lot of people think they come in here and play a reckless game, but they're a well-coached team and very disciplined," he said.
St. Vincent-St. Mary possesses a plethora of talent, from the versatile sophomore LeBron James to the quickness and outside shooting of Aly Samabaly and Dru Joyce. Add six players who are 6-feet-4 or taller and you can see why teams have problems matching up.
"It's something we've wanted to do the entire season," Springfield senior Isaac Smolko said, of facing the Irish. "We've always wanted to play the best. Now, we'll get a chance to do so."
Brink knows Springfield must play one of its best games of the season to win.
"You have to play a game fundamentally sound and you're accountable for everything," Brink said. "You need to contest every shot. [St. Vincent-St. Mary] proved against United and Lisbon, if you don't contest shots, they're going to make them.
"They're bigger than us, so you have to limit them to as few opportunities on the offensive boards as possible."
Measure of success: Springfield's strengths are its balance, unselfishness and the ability to have different players step up at different times.
Jim Schuler is a versatile senior leader, while Smolko is a force inside. Senior Ben Haug is a 6-foot-2 load of muscle who, along with a number of teammates, can make perimeter shots in bunches.
But to many statewide observers, none of that matters.
"People have told me, 'You'll be lucky if you keep it within 50 [points],' " Brink said. "That's fine. Maybe we'll prove them wrong."
XBrian Richesson covers high school sports for The Vindicator.