Cosmos progress despite loss

After dropping its season opener to Brattleboro 62-17, Springfield only managed nine points in the first half against Fairfax. But the Cosmos offense would show some spark after the break, matching their guests 25-25 over the final 16 minutes.


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http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/RH/20161217/SPORTS02/161219586 http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20161217/SPORTS02/161219586 2016-12-17 / Sports Local roundup: Cosmos progress despite loss View full-size Springfield's Cassidy Otis works the ball past BFA-Farifax's Klaire Ware. — TIM TAYLOR Girls Basketball BFA-Fairfax 50, Springfield 34 The Cosmos are sporting a youthful roster this season, but are showing progression. After dropping its season opener to Brattleboro 62-17, Springfield only managed nine points in the first half against Fairfax. But the Cosmos offense would show some spark after the break, matching their guests 25-25 over the final 16 minutes. “This was better than the Brattleboro game,” said Springfield coach Joe Costello. “I've got seven underclassmen, so it's catching up to the speed of the varsity level, it's catching up to the physicality of the varsity level and it's catching up to the execution that's required to be here. “For a lot of our young kids , they need to learn on the job and playing teams like BFA, playing teams like Brattleboro is only going to help us down the road.” The Cosmos' upperclassmen include three seniors and junior Madee Stagner, but Stagner missed a big chunk of last season due to an injury. “That's invaluable experience that we can't get back,” Costello said of the time lost to the injury. “I think she can be a significant force for us because she's a mobile big.” Springfield hit nine consecutive free throws at one point and started to warm up late in the third quarter, and outscored the Bullets 16-12 in the fourth period. Hannah Crosby got hot in the second half, pumping out 13 of her team-high 15 points, including nine over the final eight minutes. Cassidy Otis scored all five of her points after the break. Eight of the 11 Cosmos made it onto the scoreboard. Megan Domina prevented a bigger Springfield rally by scoring 10 of her game-high 16 points in the final quarter. Klaire Ware, who finished with 13 markers, managed just one basket in the fourth. Published December 17, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Springfield takes a step in the right direction in 50-34 loss to BFA-Fairfax By POODY WALSH SPRINGFIELD- It wasn’t a win, but it was an improvement. After opening the season with a 62-17 loss to Brattleboro, Springfield tightened up the defense a bit and made some shots in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a soft first half and the Cosmos fell to Bellows Free Academy of Fairfax Friday night in a Division II game at Dressel Gym, 50-34. “We didn’t play with our heads in the first half,” said Springfield coach Joe Costello, mostly in reference to having two starters picking up two fouls in the first quarter and had to sit until the third period and by the half the Cosmos were in a 25-9 hole. However, with everybody back for the second half Springfield played the Bullets even (25 points apiece) and what was also impressive is that at one stretch in the second half Springfield was 9 for 9 from the free throw line. Springfield which played a match-up zone in the first half, employed more man-to-man pressure in the second half and BFA coach Lee Tourville said it had an affect. “You know coming down here we didn’t know what to expect,” said Tourville. “This is a completely different team from last year..Springfield played real good defense in the second half and gave us trouble.” What also gave the Bullets some trouble was the nearly three-hour bus ride from Fairfax. “We got a win so I guess it was worth it,” said Tourville. What got the Bullets off to such a good start was not only the Cosmos foul woes, but the Bullets’ ability to gang rebound and get put-back hoops. “We had a little height edge and I think that helped us in that department,” said Tourville. “We also were able to spread the floor and defend well.” Springfield showed some spurts on offense, but never could put a long run together. At the start of the third quarter Hanna Crosby and Maddee Stagner made hoops for Springfield to give the Cosmos hope at 25-13, but the Bullets got its act back together and were handily in front 38-18 after three periods. Crosby finished up with 15 points for Springfield which will take part in the Green Mountain Holiday Tournament next week. Megan Domina with 16 and Klaire Ware with 13 paced BFA.