Springfield Unified drops 44-43 heartbreaker to top-seeded Rutland

Success isn't always about winning. As difficult as Thursday's heartbreaking 44-43 loss to top-seeded Rutland may have been, the Springfield Unified basketball program still came away winners.

   

2016-05-06 / Sports Local roundup: Springfield Unified drops 44-43 heartbreaker to top-seeded Rutland RUTLAND — Success isn't always about winning. As difficult as Thursday's heartbreaking 44-43 loss to top-seeded Rutland may have been, the Springfield Unified basketball program still came away winners.The Springfield Unified team talks with the coaches during a timeout Thursday. — Courtesy/Jenny Shaw, Springfield High School The Springfield Unified team talks with the coaches during a timeout Thursday. — Courtesy/Jenny Shaw, Springfield High School In their first season, the Cosmos learned much more than winning and losing. They also learned the value of pride and community — and above all else — teamwork. “I'm so remarkably amazed because when they go out there they are a team,” said Springfield assistant coach Margaret Gultekin. who added how much joy and fun she had in watching the players grow as people. Gultekin went on to say there was a “sense of community” surrounding the program and wondered there wasn't a program 14 years ago when she first started teaching at Springfield. She also noted that the kids would look up in the stands and see their teachers, family and friends cheering on their efforts. As for the game itself, the Cosmos would come away on the short end of the final score. Things looked good early on as Springfield raced out to a 16-8 lead in the first quarter. The Raiders, who came in with a distinct height advantage, battled back and the two teams went into halftime tied at 25. The Cosmos would squeak ahead 35-32 heading into the final period, but didn't have an answer for Rutland's giant, Nathan Hopkins, who poured in 33 points on the day. Kenny Skinner led Springfield with an 18-point effort and Cameron Colon added 15 more. Lance Robinson chipped in another four points, and Jade Craft, Natalie Corliss and Becca White added two apiece. “The kids played hard,” Gultekin said. “We had a lot of great plays.” Gultekin added that after the game, fellow assistant coach Derek Graham told the team, “You all played hard and improved in your game.” Each player brought something to the game. Craft brought defense, passing and hustle, and Gultekin said she made numerous steals during the Rutland game. White played solid defense before suffering an injury in the fourth quarter. Gavin Glidden was a good rebounder, Skinner helped the team with rebounding, jumpers and fast breaks, and Colon was good at fast breaks and pushing the ball into the paint and layups. Gultekin went on to reap praise upon two other players, Lizzie Mckenzie and Hunter Grace, who played on the Cosmos' varsity teams during the winter season. “Two remarkable students,” she said. “They are so dedicated and selfless.” She also said that she, Graham and head coach Marc Thomas wish to thank all the dedicated fans for their support Springfield ends its inaugural season with a 4-3 overall record that included a three-game winning streak, but the Cosmos players will take something even more rewarding away from the past several weeks. “It allows our students to feel successful,” Gultekin said.