Class 4A
#2 SPRINGFIELD TWP 41, #3 MERION MERCY 37
If past performances are worth anything, the Spartans didn’t stand much of a chance against a Merion Mercy squad that earned a 47-20 win on Springfield Twp’s home court on Jan. 24.
That 27-point loss apparently meant nothing to the Spartans, who avenged that loss with a win that vaulted the team into Saturday’s District 1 4A final against Villa Joseph Marie.
Granted, the game didn’t start out all that promising when Merion Mercy opened up a 14-8 lead after one quarter, but the Spartans – sparked by five points from Julia Guicheteau – evened the score with a 10-4 second quarter.
The Spartans broke that 18-18 halftime tie with a 10-7 third quarter and went on to outscore their visitors 23-19 for the big win.
Key players: Ava Culler’s impressive double-double included 14 points and 18 rebounds. Julia Guicheteau added 10 points while Caitlin Lewis had eight.
Springfield Twp coach Dave Giordano:
--The game: “You have to give all the credit to the team tonight. They played exceptionally well. Their defense was awesome. We played with discipline and with a purpose. We only had a total of eight fouls for the entire game, and considering how physical the game was being played that was incredible.
“Our first five went the entire game. We mixed up our defenses the entire night, and I think it confused Merion just enough that we could come out with a win.
“There was a great crowd tonight to see the team and also enjoy our first district win in approximately 15 years. The team is extremely excited to have the opportunity to play on Saturday for the District One 4A title.”
--Props: “It was a great game tonight by all five. Ava led the way with 14 points and 18 rebounds. We got a great game and ball control from Julia Guicheteau and Caitlin Lewis and steady play all night long from Karly Hartman and Keira Brandon.”
Up next: Springfield Twp will face fourth-seeded Villa Joseph Marie in the District 1 4A title game Saturday at Bensalem. The Jems upset top-seeded Pope John Paul II 38-33.
Merion Mercy 14-4-7-12 37
Springfield Twp 8-10-10-13 41
Merion Mercy (37) – Maddy Kydd 3 0-0 8; Maeve O’Rourke 1 0-0 3; Dylan Hall 2 1-2 5; Hannah Kenefick 4 0-0 10; Amara Gittens 4 0-0 8; Emerson Wiegand 1 0-0 3; TOTALS 15 1-2 37.
Springfield Twp (41) – Caitlin Lewis 3 1-2 8; Keira Brandon 1 1-3 3; Julia Guicheteau 3 0-0 10; Ava Culler 6 2-6 14; Karly Hartman 2 2-4 6; TOTALS 15 6-15 41.
3-point goals: MM -Maddy Kydd 2, Hannah Keneflick 2, Maeve O’Rourke, Emerson Wiegand; S – Caitlin Lewis, Julia Guicheteau 4.
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