By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
LEEDS – After a win on Tuesday night against rival Moody, the Springville Tigers avoided any letdown in the big area game against Leeds on Friday, marching into enemy territory and walking out with a 50-38 win over their area rivals.
The Green Wave started out strong with 5 different players putting up points in the firs quarter, leading to a 11-5 advantage in the period for the home team. Ronald Miller led his team with a 3 points, followed by Jaelyn Felder, Ty Bedell, Chris Burge and Tabari Davis with 2 each. Springville was led by 2 points each from Asa Morrison and Collin Lockhart in the quarter.
The Tigers would explode in the second quarter, putting up 22 points on Leeds. Ayden Walton would lead Springville with 8 points, followed by Ty Harrison with 7. The Green Wave would only manage 8 points in the second quarter, led by Burge, who had 3 free throws. Springville would take a 27-19 lead into the locker room.
Both teams would struggle to find a lot on offense in the third as the defenses shut down the scoring for the most part. Leeds scored 10 points in the period, led by Davis and Kendarrius Jones who had 3 each. Springville would put up just one point less with 9 of their own. Walton would score 5 of those points himself. The Springville lead would be cut to 36-29 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final frame of the contest, Springville would answer the call on defense and give themselves some distance, putting up 14 points to Leeds’ 9. Bedell and Burge would lead the scoring for the Green Wave with 3 each in the quarter. For Springville, Brodie Frederick would score 6 to lead the Tigers for the period.
On the night, Leeds would be led in scoring by Ty Bedell with 9 points, Chris Burge with 7 and Gavin Bowlin with 6.
Springville would be led by Ayden Walton with 16 points, followed by Ty Harrison with 9 and Brodie Frederick with 8.
“Total team effort. I was very impressed with how our team prepared and practiced to get ready for this game,” said Springville head Coach Brandon Easterwood. “Leeds is very talented and always prepared. We knew it would be a challenge. After getting off to a slow start in the first quarter, we responded on defense. We were able to get several stops in a row and turn those into possession points.”
“I’m just proud of our guys for getting a big area win on the road,” Coach Easterwood continued. “Those wins never come easy.”
Because of this win, Springville will get the luxury of playing their area tournament games at home this season. The Tigers improve to 14-7 with a game in the MLK Day Classic on Monday against host Brookwood High School.
Leeds, now 3-9 on the season, will look to rebound Tuesday night as they travel to St. Clair County in an area rival matchup.