LONGMEADOW — Facing two out-of-state opponents last weekend were built as opportunities for the Springfield Central girls basketball team.
“I think playing Virginia and New York really prepared us,” Springfield Central head coach James Gee said. “Playing at the highest level of basketball, giving the girls an opportunity to play out of market and see on a bigger scale what’s out there. I think they did very well handling that pressure and intensity from Division I level guards they competed against. They learned a lot to bring back for Western Mass. play.”
The two games against Virginia Academy (a 50-43 loss) and South Bronx Prep (a 59-50 win) powered Central to defeat Longmeadow, 73-40, on Friday night.
The game started out slow for both sides, with a combined six points in the first four minutes, but the Golden Eagles got going thanks to a flurry of buckets from Noelani Rodriguez and Zi’Yan Wallace. Central took a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, yet points were left on the board for them and it was only a matter of time before they started to get hot.
Central’s full-court press in the second quarter caused havoc on the Lancers’ ability to have fluid half-court offense. Impressive defensive efforts from Zh’Nai Wallace and Giavanna Mars forced multiple turnovers in the Lancers’ backcourt, leading to multiple buckets.
In a solid second quarter from Central, the Golden Eagles saw seven different players score a bucket, as Jada Watson was the only one that had multiple hoops in a 16-point period.
Teagan Allen gave the Longmeadow crowd something to cheer for with a tough layup and a banked-in 3-pointer in the second frame – she had seven points on the night at the point for the Lancers.
Up 31-18 to start the second half, the Golden Eagles felt like they could build upon the lead, and they did. Mars hit a 3 right out of the gate, and Central went on an 11-0 run in the first three minutes of the half. The Golden Eagles outscored the Lancers 20-12 in the third, and the fourth was more of the same.
Zi’Yan Wallace put the game to sleep when she hit a deep 3, stole the next in-bound pass and came down the court to hit another layup, going up 56-32 with seven minutes to go.
Just a freshman, Wallace has high expectations. It was her first game of the season as she was battling a lower leg injury, and she delivered. She finished with 14 points, including tough on-ball defense.
“When Zi’Yan came into the game, she handled the boards very well,” Gee said. “She finished strong around the rim, too. She did a great job tonight.”
Mars had nine points in the fourth quarter, and 21 total on the night. Just a sophomore, she’s a clear leader of the team as well.
“Mars has been fantastic. The last three games, she’s just been explosive on rebounds, both on the floor offensively and defensively,” Gee said. “Her energy has been transferable, and electric for the team. She just doesn’t stop. Her battery just keeps going and going. She’s averaging a double-double with points and rebounds.”
For Longmeadow, the effort and pace were there, but the execution fell short. The Lancers were just 13-for-32 from the free throw line.
“You’ve got to do everything to be in it in the fourth with them and we just couldn’t overcome all those free throw misses,” Longmeadow head coach Tim Allen said. “But overall, I’m happy with our effort. I’m happy with our connectedness. I’m happy that we pressured them, and they also pressured us.”
The Lancers look to get to 2-1 when they play Minnecaug on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m, while the Golden Eagles face Northampton on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.
