Springdale boys hope to avoid repeat of last season’s late swoon

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 2, 2017 | 10:57 PM

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Rarely has there been a time when Springdale boys basketball coach Seth Thompson was at a loss for words.

But when his Dynamos lost a must-win game to rival Riverview — a team that was winless in Section 1-2A — that would have punched Springdale's playoff ticket for a second consecutive season, the entire team was in shock.

“That was the toughest talk that I ever had to give. I was speechless,” said Thompson, who is entering his seventh season as coach. “I never want to have that talk again, and they never want to go through that again.”

The Dynamos' 59-51 loss to the rival Raiders was one of the toughest losses junior Mike Zolnierczyk experienced in his two years as a starter. It's a defeat that remains fresh in the minds of all the returning players.

“That one definitely hurt us,” Zolnierczyk said. “It shocked us. We came out a little too cocky. They came out, played hard and outplayed us that game. That feeling in the locker room was just awful. We were just sitting there, heads down, and we've been waiting all year to get back at them.”

Springdale was one of the hottest teams in WPIAL Class 2A in the first half of last season, opening 8-4. But the Dynamos went 2-6 down the stretch.

It was another lesson to pull from the loss to Riverview.

“They were all in agreement in how the last couple weeks transpired, and none of us want to go through that again,” Thompson said. “They told me they want to take care of business early and often so we don't have to win a game to get in at the end (of the season).”

The Dynamos lost three starters — Sammy Carey, Kodie Marcheck and 6-foot-10 David Yost — so any lingering feelings about the loss to Riverview will have to kept alive by Zolnierczyk and senior guard Dylan Zezza.

“We just can't take teams for granted,” Zolnierczyk said.

This is a new year, and a new team. First and foremost, the Dynamos lost most of their height from a season ago to graduation and are going to have to rely on athleticism and speed.

“This year, it's the exact opposite,” Thompson said. “In my short time here, this is the quickest team I've ever had, the most athletic team I've ever had and as a result, it's logical to play to our strengths. What we lack in size, we're going to make up for with our speed and quickness. I feel comfortable playing nine guys, and I've never had that luxury. This is uncharted territory.”

Thompson makes it no secret: His Dynamos are going to run the floor. The starting five will include freshman point guard Demitri Fritch, whom Thompson praised for not only his knowledge of the game but also his ability to see things before they happen on the court.

“He's a basketball player,” said Thompson. “He gets things, and when you talk about perception and instincts, he probably has the most of it. He sees things like two seconds ahead of time, like a good chess player.”

Fritch was surprised when he was told he was getting the starting nod, but it was something he has prepared for his entire life.

“I was shocked when I heard about it,” Fritch said. “I've been working for this for a long time. Quite frankly, it feels good. It just does.”

Zolnierczyk also will take on a new role. Thompson is going to use Zolnierczyk's size (6-4) and athleticism and use him more in a guard/forward hybrid role.

Springdale's success in soccer this fall will be felt on the hardwood, too. In addition to Zolnierczyk, senior gaurd Nick Taliani returned to the team after taking his junior year off. Taliani and Zolnierczyk bring a winning swagger to a team that will be looking for clutch players to perform when the game is on the line.

“We went through a lot of close games in soccer, and winners want the ball when the game's on the line and we got to go out there and get it done,” Zolnierczyk said.

Zezzza (guard) and senior Josh Harmon (forward) round out Springdale's starting five.

“It's going to be interesting, but I don't know what to expect,” Thompson said. “You can tell that I'm excited, but I don't know what to expect.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Springdale