Tigers take down Springside hoopsters

by TOM UTESCHER

Breaking free of a 6-6 deadlock at the start of the second quarter in last Wednesday's non-league hoops contest, host Germantown Friends stepped out to a 19-10 halftime lead while holding the visiting Springside Lions to just one field goal in the period.

The Tigers also outpointed their guests in the last two frames, coming away with a 45-28 win that raised their record to 2-1. All of Germantown's opponents so far have been from the Girls Inter-Ac League; GFS defeated Shipley and lost to Penn Charter.

Springside had arrived at Scattergood Gym with a 3-1 record that encompassed victories over Life Center, Philmont Christian, and Woodlynde, and a loss to the Hill School.

Kat Bixby, the junior point guard for the Tigers, registered a game-high 15 points, along with six steals, six rebounds, and two assists. Down low, a senior and a freshman teamed up to dominate the backboards for the winners, as the upperclassman, Misha Booker, finished with seven points and 14 boards, while varsity rookie Marisol McKee struck for 11 points and pulled ten rebounds.

Springside was led by sophomore Kira Theuer (five rebounds, two steals), with nine points, and freshman Krystin Walker, with six. Sophomore Kim Ashby (four rebounds) and eighth grader Amanda Walker each added five points for the Lions.

After Germantown earned a 6-2 lead at the outset of the contest, late field goals by Springside's Theuer and Krystin Walker closed out the first quarter at 6-all.

The Lions hustled on defense, but they weren't always under control. GFS was in the foul bonus just two minutes into the second period, and seven-for-11 free throw shooting helped the hosts go ahead for good. In the final minute a 15-footer from the left wing by Germantown's Glenda Smiley put the halftime score on the board, 19-10.

A jumper and two free throws by Krystin Walker and a three-pointer by her sister Amanda kept Springside competitive for the first few minutes of the third quarter. A little over three minutes into the period, GFS was leading by eight at 25-17, then the Tigers went on a 10-0 tear and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

The GFS freshman, McKee, stepped up big for the hosts, scoring eight of her 11 points during the third stanza to help keep the Lions at bay. Nan Weisel (five rebounds) stuck a three-pointer for the visitors at the end of the third frame, but Germantown still took a 35-20 advantage into the final quarter.

Springside continued to send the Tigers to the foul line, especially Bixby, who would net most of her 15-point total on 13-for-17 foulshooting. Five points from Maddy Kaufman, three from Smiley, and two each from Cara Smith and Kate Zipin completed Germantown's total.