Spring-Ford Defense Stifles Central Dauphin: Kehler on Hoops
Written by: Andy Herr on March 9, 2025
On Saturday night in suburban Harrisburg, Spring-Ford’s zone defensive schemes throttled host Central Dauphin’s high-powered offense, and the visitors from Royersford won a convincing 59-53 victory in a PIAA Class 6A state championship tournament 1st round game.
It’s unusual for a high school team to win an important game while playing a lot of 1-3-1 zone defense. If the offense is in motion with frequent quick cuts, it’s usually difficult for high school 1-3-1 defenders to adjust quickly enough in response. Also, there are gaps in the 1-3-1 in the baseline corners and in the elbows extended, areas which high school outside shooters often include in practice shooting drills. Spring-Ford played plenty of 1-3-1 zone against Central Dauphin on Saturday night, and the defense was very effective. One of the keys was the defensive play of rangy Tommy Kelly, a 6’ 5” senior, who was terrific out front. Spring-Ford also played some 2-3 zone. Central Dauphin, which has several outstanding slashers, had great difficulty penetrating the S-F zones. One key to defeating zone defenses is for the offense to move the ball quickly and patiently to find an open shot with offensive players in motion looking for gaps. As this game progressed, though, Central Dauphin was too frequently impatient when in possession in the half court.
It was a see-saw game for the first 10 minutes. Central Dauphin forged a 10-4 lead early on two 3-pointers by 6’ 1” senior Richard Chase, a jumper by Chase and a steal and breakaway layup by 6’ 4” senior Wayne Fletcher II. Spring-Ford quickly countered and took a 13-12 lead on a three-point play on a baseline drive by 6’ 4” senior Jacob Nguyen and a steal and a hoop by 5’ 11” junior Syaire Barnes. Early in the second frame, the teams traded leads, then Spring-Ford went up 18 to 16 on a 3-pointer by Nguyen and led the rest of the way. CD had difficulty containing the offensive play of Kelly and Nguyen, who were both superb. Nguyen was clutch down the stretch when CD made a run, scoring 14 of Spring-Ford’s 16 fourth quarter points, including two 3-pointers within the span of a minute.
Spring-Ford out-rebounded Central Dauphin 23- 18. Spring-Ford committed a dozen turnovers, while CD had 11 miscues. Central Dauphin did some late fouling, and Spring-Ford took 18 free throws, making a dozen of them. Reflective of the perimeter focus of their offense, CD took just four free throws, making three of them. Spring-Ford scored three times from beyond the arc, all of them by Nguyen. Central Dauphin made six three pointers, three of them by Chase. There weren’t any ties, but there were seven lead changes.
Spring-Ford scoring: Jacob Nguyen 26, Tommy Kelly 15, Blake Turner 6, Syaire Barnes 6, Jordan Marsilio 3, and Luke Pufko 3.
Central Dauphin scoring: Richard Chase 15, Wayne Fletcher II 14, Khalil Roberts 8, Jelani Easter 7, Shakur Starling 7, and Kyle Sucheski 2.
Spring-Ford 13 14 16 16-59
Central Dauphin 12 9 12 20-53
Spring-Ford is now 21-7. They advance to the 2nd round of the Class 6A state championship tournament and will play Philadelphia Catholic League champion Father Judge on Wednesday night at 7:30 at Norristown Area. Central Dauphin’s fine season concludes with a 20-6 record.
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