South Range keeps United in sights with win
By Lowell Spencer
new middletown
With their backs against the wall, the South Range High girls basketball team came out focused, declawing the Springfield Tigers 51-29 in a key Inter Tri-County League Tier One matchup.
The win kept the Raiders within striking distance of league-leading United.
“We’ve been practicing really well and we’re taking it to the games now. We executed really well [tonight],” Raider coach Wayne Johnson said. “It’s a huge game. Starting the second half and two games back of United, you can’t afford another loss. So we focused on this game, one game at a time.”
The Raiders (7-5, 6-2) came out focused right from the opening tip, scoring the first six points — two baskets in rapid succession due to steals in the Tigers zone. The Raiders pushed their lead to 15 points by halftime at 32-17.
“I think we came out a little anxious, a little nervous, and the jitters got to us,” Springfield coach Jim Schuler said. “You know, you make a few turnovers and then the next thing you know you’re down and then you’re really pressing.
“I think that’s how it got started. They get a couple quick buckets then the next thing you know it’s six, eight points and then panic sets in.”
The Raiders used full court pressure to frustrate and capitalize on turnovers to stretch the advantage to 47-19 at the end of three periods, only surrendering a pair of free throws to the Tigers.
“We talked about finishing [at halftime],” Johnson said. “We had a big lead on Springfield the first time we played them and they battled back and it came down to a last-second shot, so we told them we have to keep pushing and keep playing hard.”
The Raiders shot 52 percent from the field. They were led by senior guard Kelsey Maynard with 12 points, while junior guard Lexi Naples pumped in 11 points.
“It is very big for us,” Maynard said. “The last time we played them we only won by one. So it was great to see how much we really improved. We really focused for this game, we’ve been thinking about it all week. Everyone was so mentally prepared for this game, it couldn’t have gone any better.”
Senior forward Brooke Schneider with 11 points for the Tigers (6-7, 4-4), who shot 25 percent from the field., They also lost senior forward Amanda Sofranec, who may need stitches due to a first-half collision.
“We had a little injury tonight that didn’t help, but you know you can’t make excuses,” Schuler said. “You got to step in and do the things necessary to help your team win.”