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Cheltenham 70, Springfield 48
Five players scored in double figures for Cheltenham, which started the game off with a 18-4 first quarter and never looked back against a game Springfield team.
“Springfield is much better than in years past,” said Cheltenham coach Patrick Fleury. “The last two or three years they’ve been doing much better, and it showed tonight.”
Cheltenham is coming off a season where it reached the District One final, was still playing in the state tournament when COVID-19 shut the season down and finished 25-4 overall. A lot of pieces from that team graduated.
“The camaraderie between the coaches and the players, and the unselfishness, that’s going to be the key to us,” Fleury said. “This year’s team is different than last year’s team. Last year’s team built a great foundation and system of behavior and culture that our guys are taking to.
“Just the selflessness and the communication between the coaches and our players has been great. We scored 57 in our last game and 70 tonight. We shared the ball a lot more.”
Saleem Payne led Cheltenham with 15 points to go along with five assists and three steals, Justin Savage had 14 points and a team high 11 rebounds to complete an impressive double-double, while Rasheem Dearry added 12 points and four rebounds. Ife West-Ingram and Mike McClain scored 10 points each. McClain also finished with a double-double, pulling down 10 rebounds. Brandon Hawkins had three assists and five points.
Springfield was led Tuesday by Dylan McKenzie’s 15 points while Ben Cooney had 11 points and six rebounds. Andrew Kennedy added 10 points and Kyle Smythe had eight.
The Spartans (0-4, 0-3 SOL) go for their first win at New Hope-Solebury Friday. The Panthers (2-0, 2-0 SOL) host William Tennent on Friday.
Game Summary Brought To You By
Cheltenham 70, Springfield 48
Cheltenham (70): Rasheem Dearry 12, Brandon Hawkins 5, Elias Walker 3, Saleem Payne 15, Keon Healey 2, Joey Weimer 5, Justin Savage 14, Ife West-Ingram 10, Mike McClain 10.
Springfield (48): Dylan McKenzie 15, Andrew Kennedy 10, Jaquis Heath 2, Kyle Smythe 8, Ben Cooney 11, Brett Smith 2.
Cheltenham 18 13 18 21- 70
Springfield 4 12 14 18- 48