SPRINGFIELD STAYS PERFECT IN THE MVAC

By Ty Bartell

BERLIN CENTER OH- In the second edition of Springfield Tigers against Western Reserve Blue Devils in girls basketball this season, the question remained, could the two teams live up to the drama in the first matchup? Back on December 11th, The Blue Devils pushed The Tigers to their limit in The Den, but Springfield still emerged victorious 42-41, courtesy of a winning bucket by Jameka Brungard. The Tigers went into Thursday undefeated in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference’s (MVAC) Scarlet Division, as they look for their second consecutive conference crown! However, this time they would take the battle to Berlin Center in The Devils’ Lair!

Springfield got the three ball working early, with three different Tigers finding the mark from distance, helping them to an early advantage, 15-11 over Western Reserve after the first quarter. Scoring would subsequently slow down in the second quarter, as both squads were held to single digit scores through the next eight minutes of play. Springfield would have the edge by a bucket at 9-6 over Reserve in the second to hold a 24-17 halftime lead!

Opening up the second half, the first four minutes looked similar to the second quarter, with points coming at a premium for both teams’ offense. The Blue Devils would eventually wake up and catch fire from the perimeter, nailing down four 3-point shots in the quarter, outscoring Springfield 13-7 in the third and effectively cutting the Tigers lead to a single point at 31-30 heading to the final quarter of regulation. The quarter saw both teams lock it down on defense and neither was able to get separation from one another with the game tied 35-35 in the closing minutes of the fourth. Then with 2:45 remaining in the game, Karigan Mullen, like a certain Mullen before her, hit a big 3-point shot with ice in her veins to put the Tigers up and never look back! Winning the ball game 40-39 as Springfield with a flair for the dramatic, claimed their second win of the season by a single point over Western Reserve.

Jameka Brungard was a catalyst on the court, both on the boards and with her scoring, finishing with a game-high 16 points. Mariana Tuscano followed her with 8 points and Kendall Maugh had 6 points. Quincy Miller led the way for Reserve with 12 points followed by Angelina Cappabianca who had 11 points. Interviews with Jameka Brungard, Karigan Mullen and Springfield Head Coach John Matisi can be found below!

Springfield (11-4)(8-0) stays undefeated inside the conference as their next contest will come on Saturday, January 20th when they hit the road to do battle with The Columbiana Clippers (12-2). Meanwhile, Western Reserve (8-5)(4-2) will travel to their rival The Jackson Milton Blue Jays (7-6)(3-4) for the first time in almost two years in girls basketball on Monday, January 22nd. Stay updated with MVAC basketball all season long with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/1-18-g-bb-reserve-springfield/1-18-g-bb-springfield-reserve/104EOS1D