MERCURY SPORTS: WEDNESDAY RECAP

Spring-Ford pitcher Tyler Eckman (Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury)

Spring-Ford's David O'Such wins the 100 meters Wednesday. 

 

Wednesday featured a full slate of local sports including coverage of rematches of last season's Pioneer Athletic Conference championship between Spring-Ford and Boyertown in baseball and Spring-Ford and Owen J. Roberts in boys lacrosse. Also Wednesday, the Mercury covered the track and field double dual meet between Boyertown, Spring-Ford and Upper Perkiomen and girls lacrosse action between Methacton and Perkiomen Valley.

BASEBALL: Clutch Klemann, Eckman carry Spring-Ford over Boyertown, 3-2 in 8 innings

BOYS LACROSSE: Owen J. Roberts rallies past Spring-Ford

 TRACK AND FIELD: Spring-Ford boys and girls sweep Boyertown, Upper Perkiomen

GIRLS LACROSSE: Fast-starting Methacton tops Perkiomen Valley, 10-5

WEDNESDAY’S ROUNDUP: Perkiomen Valley softball freshman duo one-hits Boyertown

Mercury Sports: Saturday Recap

Mercury file photo Sue Benfield stepped down before this season after 41 years in charge of the Boyertown softball program.

Pick up Sunday's Mercury, which includes a profile of longtime Boyertown softball coach Sue Benfield, coverage of Perkiomen Valley/Methacton boys lacrosse, and our 2013 softball previews.


SOFTBALL: Benfield leaves quite a legacy at Boyertown

BOYS LACROSSE: Perkiomen Valley beats Methacton in "Rivalry Day" showdown

SOFTBALL: 2013 Season Preview Capsules

LOCAL ROUNDUP: Spring-Ford, Methacton combine for 5 firsts in track and field classic

SPRING-FORD WINS STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Game highlights, including post-game medal ceremony (video by Darryl Grumling/edited by Frank Otto)

By Mercury Staff

sports@pottsmerc.com

Spring-Ford's girls basketball team is golden.

The Rams beat Cumberland Valley, Friday night, 60-45, for the PIAA Class AAAA championship.

It was the first basketball title for an area school since the Pottstown boys in 1993. It was the Rams' first ever trip to the title game.

For complete coverage by Don Seeley, Austin Hertzog and Darryl Grumling, click on the below links:

Spring-Ford wins first state championship

Dynamic defense lifts Rams to PIAA crown

Superb, selfless seniors carry Spring-Ford to PIAA title

Future looks bright for Rams

There is plenty of video here and on our YouTube page at youtube.com/pottsmercsports.

Don't miss Saturday's print edition of The Mercury, which includes a full photo page as part of five full pages of coverage.

Spring-Ford players receive their gold medals (video by Darryl Grumling)

Spring-Ford wins the PIAA Class AAAA Championship (Video by Darryl Grumling)

* * *

Below is video from tonight's game as it happened, courtesy of Darryl Grumling (@MercSmokinD), Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) and Don Seeley (@DonSeeley1). Some clips are posted here, and all are available on our YouTube page at youtube.com/pottsmercsports.

After the jump you can find even more video.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford faces Cumberland Valley for PIAA-AAAA crown

Spring-Ford takes on Cumberland Valley in the PIAA-AAAA girls basketball championship game Friday night at 6 p.m. at Hershey's Giant Center.

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

From the time a lot of them first met on the basketball court, as fifth-graders, they formed a bond that through the years would become tensile-strong.
Their sorority was based on success brought about by hard work, determination and drive.
Friday night, that magical journey that began way back at their school’s 7th Grade Center has reached its final destination for the five seniors on Spring-Ford’s girls basketball team.
The Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1 champion Rams (31-2) square off against District 3 No. 5 seed Cumberland Valley (26-6) at 6 p.m. at Hershey’s Giant Center with the PIAA Class AAAA championship on the line.
Spring-Ford, which has won 23 straight games and is ranked 22nd in the nation by USA Today, is attempting to bring home its first state crown in a team sport in its 48-year history.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford vs. Cumberland Valley breakdown

Brittany Moore (10), Sarah Payonk (54), Shelby Mueller (5), Courtney Hinnant (14) and the Spring-Ford girls basketball team overcame one of their toughest tests of the season Tuesday in a semifinal win over Cardinal O’Hara and are set to face District 3’s Cumberland Valley in the state championship game Friday night at Giant Center in Hershey. (John Strickler/The Mercury)

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

If you’re looking for someone to break down Friday’s PIAA Class AAAA girls basketball championship matchup between District 1 champion Spring-Ford and District 3 No. 5 seed Cumberland Valley, there’s likely no one more qualified than Mount St. Joseph Academy coach John Miller.
First off, Miller is one of the most successful and highly respected coaches in the state.
Perhaps more importantly, Miller’s squad lost just four times in 30 games this season. Two of those defeats were to Spring-Ford. The other two were to Cumberland Valley.
One thing that won’t be hard to predict is that the game will feature a battle of contrasting styles.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford’s Stipa a star generations in the making

Spring-Ford's Sammy Stipa celebrates Tuesday's PIAA-AAAA semifinal win over Cardinal O'Hara. Stipa, Brittany Moore (10) and the Rams take on Cumberland Valley for the state championship Friday at 6 at Hershey's Giant Center.

By Don Seeley
sports@pottsmerc.com

ROYERSFORD – Bob Stipa made quite a name for himself as a three-sport standout at the former Spring City High School. Mark Stipa was a pretty darn good two-sport athlete at Spring-Ford. And the late Jerry Hefelfinger was indeed revered as an outstanding three-sport athlete at the former Collegeville-Trappe High School.
But the older fellas yield to the youngest, and only female among them … Sammy Stipa.
Sammy Stipa, of course, is the 5-foot-5 dynamo who has filled many roles and filled them superbly in the rambunctious Rams’ drive to Friday night’s PIAA-Class AAAA final against Cumberland Valley at the Giant Center in Hershey.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Coaching staff a big key to Spring-Ford’s success

Photo by John Strickler/The Mercury Spring-Ford head coach Jeff Rinehimer (center) and assistant coach Mickey McDaniel (in blue shirt at left) have the Rams one win away from a state championship. The Rams meet Cumberland Valley Friday night (6 p.m.) at the Giant Center in Hershey.

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

ROYERSFORD — The fact that the Spring-Ford girls basketball team has reached the PIAA Class AAAA final is a tribute to the Rams’ roster of ultra-talented and ultra-unselfish players.
It is also a tribute to the Rams’ ultra-prepared coaching staff.
When Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1 champon Spring-Ford (31-2) takes on District 3 No. 5 seed Cumberland Valley (26-6) for the state championship Friday night at 6 p.m. at Hershey’s Giant Center, it will no doubt be the high point for the 14 girls who suit up for the Rams varsity.
It will also mark the apex in the 19-year tenure of Spring-Ford coach Jeff Rinehimer, as well as his first-rate group of assistants.
Rinehimer, right-hand man Mickey McDaniel (the school’s athletic director who is a volunteer assistant), assistant coach Jeff Mast, JV head coach Geoff Kahler and volunteer assistant Stacey Huntington will all be on the Rams bench attempting to come up with a winning scheme.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford ticket information

The Spring-Ford girls basketball team will play Cumberland Valley in the PIAA Class AAAA championship game 6 p.m. Friday, March 22, at the Giant Center in Hershey. Advance tickets are on sale in the high school athletic office 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, at a cost of $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for students; all tickets at the gate will be $8.00.
There will be a fan bus leaving from Spring-Ford High School Auditorium/Gymnasium 3:30 p.m. Friday. You must have a bus ticket that is available at the athletic department.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: SPRING-FORD GOING TO STATE FINAL

By Mercury Staff
sports@pottsmerc.com


As you can see above, the Spring-Ford girls basketball team is headed for the state final after a 53-49 win over Cardinal O'Hara in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals.

The Rams will play Cumberland Valley on Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey at 6 p.m.

We have three stories from the game, all linked below, as well as some video posted below and more video on our YouTube channel from the game.

Keep it here all week as we get you set for the Rams' date with Cumberland Valley, as they try to become the first area basketball team in 20 years to win a state championship (Pottstown boys, 1995).

Wednesday's Stories

• Spring-Ford heading for Hershey after Stipa's clutch free throws seal victory (by Don Seeley)
• Hungry Rams get over semifinal hump (column by Darryl Grumling)
• Finally faced with pressure, Rams pass their biggest test (by Austin Hertzog)

Follow us on Twitter @PottsMercSports, as well as writers Darryl Grumling (@MercSmokinD), Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog), Don Seeley (@DonSeeley1) for the very latest.

Below is ticket information we received from Spring-Ford late Tuesday night:

Advance reserved-seat tickets for the PIAA Class AAAA girls basketball championship game between Spring-Ford and Cumberland Valley will go on sale in the high-school athletic office 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, and again 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday while supplies last. Tickets are priced at $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for students.

Fan-bus information will be released by the school Thursday

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford faces Cardinal O’Hara in PIAA semifinal

Last season ended in disappointment for Sammy Stipa and the Spring-Ford girls basketball team in the semifinals of the PIAA Class AAAA Tournament, a loss to Archbishop Carroll. The Rams return to that same stage tonight when they meet Cardinal O’Hara in a PIAA semifinal at William Tennent High School (7:30 p.m.). (Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury)

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

Spring-Ford girls basketball seniors Sarah Payonk, Brittany Moore, Courtney Hinnant, Sammi Haas and their teammates have waited a year for this.
Since suffering a season-ending loss to powerful Archbishop Carroll in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinal 364 days ago, the returning Rams made it their mission to at least get back to that point.
And like General Douglas MacArthur, the Rams have indeed returned.
Tonight, Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1-AAAA champion Spring-Ford (30-2) squares off against District 12 champ Cardinal O’Hara (24-5) in a state semifinal at 7:30 p.m. at William Tennent High School in Warminster.

(For complete story, click here ... )

COLLEGE SIGNING: Spring-Ford triple-threat Sheldon joining Bucknell football program

Spring-Ford senior R.J. Sheldon recently signed a letter of intent to play football at Bucknell University on a football scholarship. Sheldon is pictured with his parents Rich, left, and Sue, right, and sister Alyssa. (Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury)

By Don Seeley
sports@pottsmerc.com

ROYERSFORD – R.J. Sheldon has been very flexible and quite agreeable throughout his athletic career at Spring-Ford.
Give him a position to play in baseball and football, or an event to compete in swimming, and Sheldon was there … without any opposition, without the least bit of hesitation.
And while Sheldon has enjoyed his share of success in all three sports, as well as in the classroom – where he’s a member of the National Honor Society – he’ll soon be narrowing his grueling year-round schedule to include just one sport and, of course, academics.
Sheldon made that choice recently, albeit a surprising one to many who have played with or followed him the past three-plus years, after signing a national letter of intent to line up in Bucknell University’s football program.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Payonk paying off in big way for Spring-Ford

Spring-Ford’s Sarah Payonk goes to the hoop as Dover’s Kara Funk defends during their PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal Friday night at Garden Spot High School. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

NEW HOLLAND — Off the basketball court, Sarah Payonk is one of Spring-Ford’s brightest students.
On the court, she is one of the Rams’ most dangerous weapons.
Dover found that out in Friday night’s PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal, as Payonk’s powerful performance helped Spring-Ford come away with a 67-45 victory at Garden Spot High School.
Payonk, a 5-foot-11 senior forward, scored 15 points to share team-high honors with Sammy Stipa and also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and blocked four shots for the Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1 champion Rams (30-2), who won their 22nd straight game.
“Sarah’s a really big asset to our team,” said fellow senior starter Sammi Haas. “She’s a good leader, she knows the game and she’s very smart. She’s not as loud on the court as me or (senior) Courtney (Hinnant); she’s more likely to give a pep talk in the locker room and tell us what needs to be done. She talks when she needs to talk.”

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford stops Dover to return to PIAA semifinals

Spring-Ford's Sammy Stipa comes up with the ball ahead of Dover's Alayah Hall and Megan Lokhaiser on a loose ball during the first half of their PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal Friday night at Garden Spot High School. (Photo by Barry Taglieber)

By Dennis Weller
sports@pottsmerc.com

NEW HOLLAND — All season long, the Spring-Ford girls have been on a mission to make it further than they did last year. And after 32 games, that goal is finally right at their fingertips after they advanced to the PIAA Class AAAA Final Four for the second straight season on Friday night with a 67-45 win over Dover at Garden Spot High School.
One Ram or another seemed to have a hot hand the entire night as five players scored at least nine points, including 15 apiece by Sammy Stipa and Sarah Payonk. Alayah Hall scored 20 for Dover. Spring-Ford (30-2) will face Cardinal O’Hara, a 60-24 winner over Central Dauphin, in a Tuesday semifinal at a time and place to be determined.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford, Dover square off in PIAA quarterfinal

Sammy Stipa, left, and Sarah Payonk, right, lead Spring-Ford into tonight’s PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal against District 3 No. 4 seed Dover at Garden Spot High School. (File photo by John Strickler/The Mercury)

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

There are many factors that make Spring-Ford the most feared girls basketball team in the state.
The Rams’ superior skill level. Their bountiful blend of size, experience and depth. Their top-notch coaching staff.
But the No. 1 reason for the squad’s dominant run over the past two seasons remains its determined attention to defensive detail.
Whether it be their furious fullcourt trap or dogged halfcourt man-to-man set, the Rams ‘D’ has been nothing short of Grade A.
Spring-Ford hopes to continue that trend Friday, when the Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1 champion Rams (29-2) — ranked 24th in the latest USA Today Super 25 national ratings — take on District 3 No. 4 seed Dover (27-3) in a PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal at 6 p.m. at Garden Spot High.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford ticket information

Advance tickets for Spring-Ford's PIAA-AAAA girls basketball quarterfinal Friday night at 6 p.m. at Garden Spot High against Dover will be on sale in the Spring-Ford athletic office Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults: $6. Students: $3. All tickets at door: $6.

A fan bus ($3, tickets must be purchased from the athletic office during the above times) will depart the high school gymnasium/auditorium entrance at 4 p.m. Friday.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Moore helps Spring-Ford reach PIAA quarterfinals

Photo by Barry Taglieber Spring-Ford’s Brittany Moore tries to go around Wallenpaupack’s Nickole Mann on Tuesday night.

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

BETHLEHEM TWP. — Brittany Moore’s senior girls basketball season didn’t exactly begin the way she envisioned it -- with a high ankle sprain.
But the Spring-Ford guard certainly appears to be finishing her final campaign with a flourish.
Tuesday night at Freedom High, Moore was at the forefront as the Rams gutted out a 58-44 victory over a dead-game Wallenpaupack squad in a PIAA-AAAA Tournament second-round game.
Senior forward Courtney Hinnant and junior guard Sammy Stipa scored 10 points each for the Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1-AAAA champion Rams (29-2), who won their 21st straight game and advanced to Friday’s state quarterfinal against District 3 No. 4 seed Dover (27-3), a 42-38 winner over Nazareth.

(For complete story, click here ...)

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: Boyertown’s Jordan Wood and Spring-Ford’s Courtney Hinnant

Boyertown's Jordan Wood

Spring-Ford's Courtney Hinnant.

By Mercury Staff
sports@pottsmerc.com

BOYS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jordan Wood
Boyertown
Wrestling

What he has done
Freshman 220-pounder advanced to the title bout of the PIAA-AAA Championships at Hershey’s Giant Center Saturday before falling to Solacno’s Thomas Haines via 7-2 decision. Wood, who finished 46-2 on the year, had won 32 straight bouts heading into the state final, including a 7-4 semifinal decision over Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s Zach DeLucia.

What he says
“I knew about him and I went out knowing I had to wrestle a two-time defending state champion in my head. I’m not mad about losing, I’m just mad about the way I wrestled. (Haines) wrestled a lot better. I wrestled defensively, and that can’t be your mindset when you go out there for any match.”

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Hinnant helps balanced Spring-Ford past Hershey in state opener

Spring-Ford's Courtney Hinnant scores a layup late in the second quarter against Hershey during their PIAA Class AAAA Tournament first round game Friday night at Norristown High School. (Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury)

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

NORRISTOWN — Were she on any other team — in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, District 1 or the entire state — Courtney Hinnant would likely be a starter.
Problem is, the squad that Hinnant suits up for, Spring-Ford, has a starting lineup that is simply stacked.
With the sudden offseason emergence of players such as Shelby Mueller and Sammi Haas, Rams coach Jeff Rinehimer made the tough decision to bring Hinnant (who started most of last year) off the bench this season.
Rather than rebel, however, the 5-foot-10 senior forward has embraced the move — which has in turn strengthened Spring-Ford’s already formidable rotation.
Friday night at Norristown High, Hinnant showed what she is capable of in helping the Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1 champion Rams down District 3 No. 7 seed Hershey 59-41 in a PIAA Class AAAA Tournament opener.

(For complete story, click here ... )

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford opens state tourney action

Darryl Grumling was at Norristown High tonight, where the top-seeded Spring-Ford girls basketball team opened state tournament play with a 59-41 win over Hershey, the No. 7 seed out of District 3.

The Rams will play Wallenpaupack Area on Tuesday at a site and time to be announced.

Darryl provided some video from Norristown, which is posted below. Check back later for a complete story from the game, as well as other area games Friday night.

Hinnant follow-up basket:

Hinnant foul shots:

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Spring-Ford leads four area squads into PIAA tourney

Starters Sarah Payonk, left, Sammi Haas, second left, and the Spring-Ford girls basketball team begin their quest for a state title when the PIAA Championships get under way Friday. The Rams reached the semifinals a year ago. (File photo by Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury)

By Darryl Grumling
dgrumling@pottsmerc.com

The whiteboard in the locker room of Spring-Ford’s girls basketball team, the one with a laundry list of goals for the season, has seen plenty of checkmarks over the past several weeks.
An unbeaten Pioneer Athletic Conference regular season? Done.
Second straight PAC-10 championship? Cross it off.
Back-to-back District 1-AAAA titles? Taken care of.
Tonight, Spring-Ford will begin the quest for its ultimate goal — PIAA gold — as the Rams (27-2) square off with District 3 No. 7 seed Hershey (21-5) in a Class AAAA opener at Norristown at 7:30 p.m.
Three other PAC-10 girls squads — Boyertown, Methacton and Pope John Paul II — are also set to begin state tourney play.
In other AAAA openers tonight, the District 1 No. 7 seed Bears (19-9) face District 3 runner-up Central Dauphin (20-6) at Milton Hershey at 8 p.m., and District 1 No. 9 seed Methacton (24-6) takes on District 12 champ Cardinal O’Hara (22-5) at Monsignor Bonner at 7:30 p.m.
In Class AAA first-round action Saturday, District 1 No. 3 seed Pope John Paul II (18-6) meets District 12 runner-up and three-time defending PIAA champ Archbishop Wood (16-8) at 5 p.m. at Archbishop Carroll.

(For complete story, click here ... )