06 Dec Springdale Preparatory School Defeats Mercersburg Academy
Honors New Windsor High School Basketball Programs
(New Windsor, MD) –The Springdale Preparatory School Lions hosted their first-ever home boys basketball games last night and both squads proved victorious. On hand to cheer them on were members of the New Windsor High School boys and girls basketball teams, which last played in New Windsor in 1959.
The JV squad soundly prevailed 60-22, and the varsity team pulled out a hard-fought 58-54 victory that went down to the wire.
After a 7-0 Springdale run to start the game, Mercersburg fought back to take the lead 11-7. The game featured lead changes with Mercersburg up by as many as six. Scrappy second half play gave Springdale a 39-38 lead with 1:00 left in the third quarter. Mercersburg knotted the game at 40, and after senior Kareem Carter knocked down a three-pointer, Springdale was up by five with five minutes remaining.
Solid defense forced several Mercersburg turnovers and Springdale increased its lead to nine with 3:00 remaining. Mercersburg clawed back to within two points with three seconds to play. Senior Vincent Douglas made both ends of a one-and-one to seal the victory.
“I am pleased that the young men in our program measured up in last night’s game. We are proud of their effort, and we are certainly excited about their individual and collective growth as young men,” said Tyrone Johnson, head coach. “Most importantly, I am also thankful for the investment that Springdale has poured into each of their lives. To the Springdale community, thank you for your support and encouragement.”
Approximately 300 fans were in attendance, and they witnessed a meaningful halftime ceremony which featured former New Windsor High School players who returned to town to be honored for their play in the late 1950s.
“Tonight’s contest is the first varsity basketball game in New Windsor in 59 years,” said New Windsor Mayor Neal Roop during the ceremony. “We are proud to have members of the New Windsor High School Alumni Association and former players here to formally recognize tonight.”
Among those honored was Dan Hartzler, who played on New Windsor state tournament teams in 1958 and 1959 and is a member of the Carroll County Hall of Fame.
“I’m pleased to be a part of Springdale Preparatory School’s opener and I’m looking forward to having a team in town we can enjoy supporting,” he said.
Springdale Preparatory School is building a national caliber program, under the leadership of head coach Tyrone Johnson, a coach of the year in Georgia in 2017.
The Springdale Lions are playing a national caliber independent schedule, including the Bartlett Invitational in Chattanooga, TN, December 13-15.
