Published: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 / Updated: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 10:58 AM
Lady Mustangs went 14-0
The Springfield Middle School eight grade girls’ basketball team put the finishing touch on an undefeated season last week with an overtime road win, 18-13, over York Middle School.
Coach Craig Brown’s Lady Mustangs led throughout most of the contest, but York clawed its way to a tie game as time expired in regulation. In the overtime period, however, it was all Mustangs as Chynna Crawford scored all five points to give SMS the York County Middle School Athletic Conference title for 2012-2013.
On their way to a 14-0 season, the Lady Mustangs compiled some impressive statistics. They averaged 31 points a game and enjoyed an average margin of victory of 18.5 points. The team allowed opponents only 12 points a game on average. The key component to this defense was the diamond press, run from the start of each game by the “Bigs” – Courtney Wells, Chynna Crawford and Sydney Adams – who provided a strong inside presence and allowed the team to outrebound opponents on both ends of the court.
The other starters were Chanel Turner and Emma Starkey. The multi-faceted offense was guided by point guards Starkey, Turner, Haley Stroud and Jaylin Johnson. Strong full-court defense was assisted by Lili Martinez and Josie Perez. Gracey Rowan stepped in with several key steals which resulted in fast-break points. Every girl got on the score sheet during the season, but Adams led all scorers and accounted for one of every four points scored by the Mustangs.
Nine of the 10 girls will attend Nation Ford High School in the fall and Johnson will head to Fort Mill High School.