Springstead finds redemption

Based on its success of the past four years, this has been far from a typical season for Springstead High.

A season ago the Eagles marched to the state championship game, but a 5-16 regular season exhibited just how much had changed so quickly.

But all along, they knew they had one shot at redemption. Thanks to the four-team structure of Class 5A, District 7, they needed a lone district tournament victory to reach regionals for the fourth time in five years.

Despite going 0-2 versus second-seeded Ocala-West Port in the regular season, third-seeded Springstead made the most of its opportunity when it hosted Tuesday's 5A-7 Tournament semifinals.

The Eagles used some hot shooting early to jump on top of the Wolf Park and never looked back, pulling out a dominating 65-41 victory.

"This game right here, we knew we could beat them," senior guard Nick Steadman said. "This game was very important to us. We set the tone, set the intensity. We came out as one mind and one set and that was it for us."

Steadman, the only returning starter from last season, led the way with 18 points, four steals and four assists. Will Hall added 17 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, while Naquan Inniss chipped in with 15 points, seven boards and three steals.

Inniss had three of the Eagles' (6-16) six three-pointers in the opening half, as they opened up a 33-19 advantage going into the intermission.

West Port (8-13) never seriously challenged in the second half, despite a 17-point effort from A.J. Taylor, plus 10 points, nine rebounds and three steals out of Mike Kirkland.

"I told the kids before the game that if they (the Wolf Pack) get into the 60s, we would lose. I didn't think we'd score 60, but we did," Springstead Head Coach Steve Thompson said. "Our defensive effort has gotten so much better in the last few weeks.

"...I don't think West Port handled our press at all. I thought our defensive intensity is what made the difference and our kids didn't want to lose."

The Eagles will host top-seeded Ocala-Forest in the 5A-7 final Friday night at 7 p.m.

SPRINGSTEAD 65, OCALA-WEST PORT 41
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
Springstead 18 15 18 14 - 65
West Port 9 10 14 8 - 41
Springstead (65): Hall 8 0-0 17, Inniss 5 2-2 15, Townsend 1 2-4 4, Steadman 7 1-2 18, Wild 2 0-1 5, Vanlow 1 2-2 4, Alvarez 1 0-0 2, Maggard 0, Floyd 0, Rivera 0. Totals 25 7-11 65.
West Port (41): Wilkerson 0, Villard 1 0-0 3, Kirkland 5 0-6 10, Taylor 6 2-4 17, Washington 0 3-4 3, Jewell 2 0-0 4, Edwards 1 0-1 2, Albino 1 0-0 2, Watkins 0, Headley 0, Sada 0, David 0. Totals 16 5-15 41.
Three-point field goals: SPG 8 (Inniss 3, Steadman 3, Hall, Wild); WP 4 (Taylor 3, Villard).
Total fouls: SPG 15; WP 14.
Technical fouls: West Port bench.
Fouled out: Washington (WP).
Records: Springstead (6-16), Ocala-West Port (8-13).