(SPRING HILL)- Last season for Springstead’s girls varsity basketball team ended on somewhat of a positive note heading into the current 2017-2017 campaign, concluding the breakout year with a postseason berth.
Something the Eagles haven’t forgotten about, however, are the club’s final two losses from last season. Springstead lost to Sunlake in the Class 7A, District 8 championship and in the region semifinals of the playoffs. Though the Eagles were able to come away with a 51-46 region quarterfinal victory over Tampa King last year, Springstead holds heavy motivation and confidence heading into into districts despite not being the No. 1 seed.
“We would’ve been a better position if we would’ve won a game against Sunlake and we would’ve wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the district,” Springstead coach Jay McNerney said. “We’re pretty confident. When we play our game, we are pretty tough to beat. When we get on a roll, we are pretty hard to stop. They all know what they have to do. I barely have to do any coaching at this point. They know what it takes to win.”
One of the club’s best players in program history in senior Reagan Huden has been the main cog in Springstead’s attack offensively. Huden is currently averaging a team-high 19.3 points per game and will need to take her talents up a notch with tough district opponents like Mitchell and Sunlake upcoming. The 3-point ball will be key, as Huden has connected on 57-of-146 baskets from outside the arc.
“Reagan (Huden) knows what she’s got to do,” McNerney said. “She knows when her shots not falling to drive to the basket. She’s one of the best players that I’ve ever coached.”
Thinking about the team once Huden graduates isn’t something that has quite cross the mind of McNerney, who says that’s a bridge to be crossed once the summer hits. The Eagles will have to replace one of the county’s most proflific scorers in recent memory. Springstead has some talent that is slated to return, including 6-foot-1 junior Yhanni Batts. Batts is averaging over 10 points per game this season.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” McNerney added. “I’d rather focus on our games coming up. Kid can transfer in or something. You never know.”
When it comes down to evaluating this season, McNerney pretty good about what the Eagles have accomplished up to this point. A bright spot has been Springstead’s play within the county, going an impressive 6-1.
“I felt like we’ve had a couple games stolen from us. It’s been a pretty good season however. Some games have been basically a coin flip. Looking at our district, it’s pretty tough. I was pretty disappointed finishing 3-3 in the district. To be 12-4 and 6-1 in the county is right where I thought we would be heading into districts.”