21 Feb Springdale Preparatory School Falls to Nationally Ranked SPIRE Academy
(New Windsor, MD) –The Springdale Preparatory School Lions hosted the President’s Day Hoops Classic on President’s Day at Towson University. After the SPIRE Academy and Mt. Zion Prep post-graduate teams sparred, the SPS and SPIRE’s high school teams faced off.
The crowd of 1,200 enjoyed a competitive first half featuring multiple lead changes. Springdale started hot, garnering as much as a five-point lead before SPIRE and LaMelo Ball added thrills and highlight reel plays to pull ahead and not look back, besting the Lions, 103-82.
“Going into the game against SPIRE, everyone knew that we would be greatly undersized, but I was impressed with my team’s grit,” says Springdale Head Coach Tyrone Johnson. “Particularly in the first half, I thought we did a good job of following the script offensively. Frankly, our defensive effort and attention to detail left a lot to be desired. Overall, we did compete, and for that, I am proud of my guys.”
Leading scorers for the Lions were Kaream Carter (21), Vincent Douglas (18), Olando Merrick, (15), Brian Walker (12), and Kadon Fasset (11). Brian Walker pulled down the most rebounds for the Lions (8). Myron Gardner led SPIRE with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds along with four assists. Ball had a double-double of his own with 14 points and 12 assists.
The game also served as Senior Night for the Lions. Honored were Olando Merrick (pictured with Coach Johnson); Vincent Douglas II (with Head of School and Recruiter Kim Graham); Kaream Carter (with Acting Athletic Director Theodore Bullard); and senior manager Khalil Johnson (with Assistant Coach Brandon Costley).
Singing the National Anthem were Springdale music students Jordyn Griffin and Erihana Vincent accompanied by music facilitator Ben Kohn. View the video below.
Photos by: Linda Esterson and Kathy Nichols