Springdale boys face familiar circumstance in section finale

By: Alec Italiano
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 | 5:57 PM

The math is simple for Springdale's boys basketball team as the Dynamos prepare for their Section 2-2A finale Friday at arch-rival Riverview.

Win, and Springdale qualifies for the WPIAL playoffs for the 33rd time, second-best in Alle-Kiski Valley history behind Ford City (49). A loss puts that in jeopardy, as Springdale (10-8, 5-6) comes into Friday tied with Greensburg Central Catholic (6-14, 5-6) for the final playoff spot in the section.

Springdale and GCC, which hosts Jeannette on Friday, split their season series.

If the situation sounds familiar, it's because Springdale faced the same scenario last season. The Dynamos needed a win over Riverview in the section finale to clinch a playoff spot. Instead, the Raiders foiled their rivals' hopes with a 59-51 victory.

Adding to the eeriness: Riverview (2-17, 0-10) comes into Friday's game winless in section play, just as the Raiders did last season. And the Raiders pushed Springdale to the limit in their first meeting this season before the Dynamos rallied in the fourth quarter for a 60-51 win.

“I feel like having that bad experience last year and having never wanted to experience that again, I think that will help more than it will hurt,” Springdale coach Seth Thompson said. “If you're in a bad experience, you try not to let it happen again.”

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tags: Riverview, Springdale