Unbeaten Springfield set for state playoffs

Satisfaction doesn't come easy to Springfield (Delco) coach Kim Smith.

With a 21-0 record, a No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the Class AAA PIAA girls' basketball playoffs, it's hard to be dissatisfied.

But a bad day of practice will put anyone in a bad mood.

"I was not overly pleased with the way that they practiced today," the 16-year head coach said one day last week. "We scrimmaged yesterday against Great Valley. We played pretty well yesterday, so I guess they were due for kind of an off-day today."

Smith said her squad is trying to stay fresh during a long stretch without playing a game.

The Cougars defeated Radnor in a Feb. 9 thriller to complete their regular season and are scheduled to play ninth-seed Oxford, a winner Tuesday in the first round over Merion Mercy, tomorrow.

The long stretch without playing a game is an unfortunate side effect of earning the top spot and first-round bye in the tournament.

"Obviously, it's important from a mental perspective because you know you've worked hard and you've earned that spot," Smith said. "It's hard emotionally because it's such a long layoff, and it's hard to keep yourself rejuvenated when you have a 21/2-week break, and you don't really play in uniform with referees and all that kind of stuff. That part makes it kind of tough, but we're really excited about being the No. 1 seed."

The path to perfection didn't come easy. While they averaged 46 points per game, their high-scoring offense was battle-tested. The Cougars won on a last second shot against Northampton, came from behind in the final minutes to defeat Archbishop Prendergast and narrowly squeaked by Radnor in their final contest.

Smith sees the experience in close games as an asset moving forward.

"As we go through, it gets harder," she said. "So, it's good that we had some games down the stretch where we were really tested. People were really physical with us, and we had an opportunity to change up our defenses a little bit and do some different things."

Springfield's final win against Radnor was fueled by the outstanding play of MyNeshia McKenzie. By racking up 35 points, McKenzie came within 42 points of becoming the all-time leading scorer in Springfield history. She trails Erin Stitiler, who holds the record of 1,194 career points.

Smith said the 6-1 senior forward, who committed to Rider earlier this year, is the best player she has ever coached and is hands down one of the best players in the league.

"I've seen most of the teams in [Class] AAA and if she's not the best player, she's certainly in the top three," Smith said. "She's a phenomenal athlete. You know, she is a tremendous piece of our puzzle, and besides being a very athletic, very talented basketball player, she's also a great kid, which makes it a lot easier to coach her."

While McKenzie may be the biggest piece of Smith's puzzle, the forward didn't win 21 games by herself. Seniors Shannon Burns, Jen Houtmann, and Maddy McKnight helped lead the Cougars, with help from juniors Kelsi Chazin and Chimera Dennis.

Unlike Chazin and Dennis, Springfield's four seniors will be playing in their last high school basketball game in the coming weeks. While a 21-0 regular season was a great accomplishment, the Cougars veterans won't be satisfied until they're holding a championship trophy.

"I think we've made ourselves into a team that's not a one-man show," Smith said. "Really, those four seniors are carrying us."