Springfield cruises past Woodstock for first playoff win since 2011

The Cosmos had seven players score at least four points in the game and their defense played extremely well for a 62-35 win in the first round of the VPA Division II playoffs, which was the team’s first playoff win since the 2011 tournament.
Related story: Springfield topples Woodstock

Springfield cruises past Woodstock 62-35 for first playoff win since 2011 By Anthony Labor Jr. | Feb 17, 2015 \ Photo by: Anthony Labor Jr.Springfield's Nicole Patterson puts up a layup during the Cosmos' first round win over Woodstock on Tuesday. Springfield Girls Basketball vs. Woodstock First Round 2/17/15 Springfield's Chelsea McAllister puts a shot up in traffic during Tuesday's game against Woodstock. (Photo by: Anthony Labor Jr.) View More... SPRINGFIELD — Heading into Tuesday’s first round playoff game against No. 11 Woodstock, the sixth-seeded Springfield girls basketball coach Joe Brown was confident if his team played to its capability and received contributions from all its players, it would be in good shape. The Cosmos had seven players score at least four points in the game and their defense played extremely well for a 62-35 win in the first round of the VPA Division II playoffs, which was the team’s first playoff win since the 2011 tournament. “A win is a win in the playoffs,” said Springfield coach Joe Brown. “I thought we did some good things out there, but we weren’t flawless.” The Cosmos tallied 20 steals in the game, as they had a number of easy layups with their transition game. They also outrebounded the Wasps 46-32 with a handful of putbacks in the mix. “I was pleased with how our defense played man-to-man,” said Brown. “We are getting there. Our help side was there and communication was stronger. We caused a lot of turnovers because we were in the right spot and doing the right thing.” Chelsea McAllister finished the night with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists and 10 steals. Brooke Willey tallied nine points, while Diamond Bruso scored eight points and grabbed 15 rebounds. “Diamond did a good job of being in position for rebounds tonight,” said Brown. “We need that and for her to finish, which will be a big help for us moving forward.” Lizzie Mackenzie tallied seven points and Jordan Phelps and Cassidy Otis each chipped in six points apiece. Nicole Patterson had four points to go along with five steals in the game. “Some of the girls did some things they haven’t done this year,” said Brown. “If we are going to make a run here, we need to have everyone contributing in one way or another and they did that tonight.” Despite the first-round exit, Woodstock put together a solid 9-12 season just a few years removed from a streak of 53 straight losses. The nine wins was a good sign for the program moving forward. “We are moving in the right direction as a program,” said Woodstock coach Roger St. Hilaire. “As far as tonight goes, our inexperience showed especially early on. We haven’t been to a tournament game in five or six years and I think it was just a fact none of the girls played in this situation before and just had some nerves.” Springfield started the rout right out of the gate with 14 straight points in the first four and a half minutes. McAllister tallied five points, while Willey had four during the run. Otis scored three and Bruso, Patterson and Mackenzie each hit a bucket, as they Cosmos held an 18-4 lead after the first. They continued to pour it on, as they took a 35-12 lead at the half and used the second half to work on some different things in their game and get some of its JV players into the action. “With the big lead in the second half, I wanted to see what worked well for us and what doesn’t to prepare for the next game,” said Brown. “We are short on our bench right now, so it was good to get some JV players out there and get some experience.” With only two seniors graduating from this year’s team, St. Hilaire is excited for the future of the program and hopes to continue to trend upward in the future. “Luckily we have a good group returning next year, so should be in pretty good shape,” he said. “We are progressing and hopefully putting wins together this year will help encourage more players to come out for the program next year.” Springfield improved to 12-9 with the win and will play the winner of No. 3 Mill River and No. 14 Middlebury, who play their first round game on Wednesday. The quarterfinal game will be Saturday at the home of the higher seed. Springfield didn’t play Middlebury in the regular season, but had two battles with Mill River. Springfield took the first game at Mill River by a 40-38 score before dropping the home game 45-41. “At Mill River, we have to play good basketball,” said Brown. “We are going to work our tails off the next few days and prepare for them. I told the girls basketball is all we are thinking about right now. “I think we have the right personnel to make it to Barre this year,” he added. “This was the first step to get there.” http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/RH/20150218/SPORTS02/702189880 http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150218/SPORTS02/702189880