South Range capitalizes on Springfield errors to take game

By Jon moffett

jmoffett@vindy.com

New Middletown

It may be early in the season, but Dave Purins knew just how important a victory over arch-rival Springfield would be to his South Range High team.

It meant bragging rights, an all-important conference victory and a chance to sweep their opponent when the Tigers travel to meet the Raiders later this year. So in a word, a win would mean, well, everything.

Good thing for Purins his Raiders came to play, earning a 52-49 victory. The game came down to the last shot, and when it clanked onto the floor, Purins and the Raiders followed suit, swarming Leigh Klingensmith Court.

“Anytime you can win at Springfield, against our big rival, it’s one of the top wins these kids will ever have,” Purins said. “We talked before the game about what high school sports are about, and they’re about making memories with your friends. It’s just one of those memories that these guys will never forget.”

Forgetting might be just what the Tigers do.

The Tigers built a solid lead but got into foul trouble early. The team committed 10 fouls in the first quarter, putting the Raiders (6-2, 4-1 ITCL Tier 1) in the bonus. It resulted in nine trips to the free-throw line for South Range. The team made six of the shots.

Head coach Eric Fender said the early troubles may have had an affect on their aggressiveness, but it wasn’t the reason the Tigers (6-4, 4-2) lost the game.

“We had, I think, three guys with two fouls in the first quarter, and that might have affected us,” he said. “But guys came in and sustained the lead, or kept us close. I give them a lot of credit.”

Even with the advantage in the foul column, South Range found itself behind. But clutch shooting by Andy Lacefield, Jordan Baker and Isaac Schuster combined with the inside presence of Dan Good put the Raiders ahead late. With 6.9 seconds left, the Tigers had the ball and a three-point deficit.

But a three-point attempt fell just short, and into the hands of Lacefield.

Lacefield, who scored 13 points, said the win was one he and his teammates will remember for a long time.

“It feels amazing. All of our guys have been talking about this game all week,” he said. “All of our players, everyone just put it all out there tonight.”

Lacefield said he was going to celebrate the best way he knew how: by playing a little Call of Duty with his friends and soaking in the win.

Both Fender and Purins said they’re eager for South Range/Springfield 2, which will take place Feb. 11 at the South Range gym.

When asked if he was ready for round two, Fender said: “Definitely. They’re the team our guys want to get.”