Springfield battles past C.dock for title

For the second night in a row, the Christopher Dock boys basketball team got off to a sluggish start, but this time the Pioneers could not recover, as they fell 47-37 to Springfield in the Christopher Dock Holiday Tournament Final.

“It was (a rough start) yesterday and today, just really not getting into a rhythm,” Dock coach Matt Dolan said. “We’re trying to make plays that are too complex. When we’re simple, we’re a lot better as a unit.”

The Pioneers fell behind 11-0 in the first and did not score until a pair of Azariah Parmer free throws fell through, making it 11-2 with a minute, 14 seconds left in the opening period. Jared Armstrong’s three at the buzzer was the only Dock field goal in the opening eight minutes, cutting the deficit to 13-5.

“I think it’s just focus. I think our guys can do it — we do it in practice,” Dolan said of the Pioneers being able to play sound, fundamental ball. “When the lights go on, I guess we try to throw a one-hand pass and we preach two-hand passes. Catch with two hands. We’ve just got to get back to basics.”

Turnovers prevented Dock (3-4) from making a big run in the second quarter, as they trailed by nine at the half, but Parmer’s lay-in just before the end of the third cut the deficit to five, 34-29.

However, while both teams were inconsistent from the foul line, shooting a combined 20-for-53, Billy Dahm was a consistent force for the Spartans, playing solid defense and scoring 10 points on the way to earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award.

“He’s athletic, he’s big, he averaged 17 points a game last year,” Dolan said of Dahm, who also had multiple blocks and led the Spartans in rebounding. “He’s strong, he’s good around the rim, and we knew that going in. I thought Najee (Miller) did a better job with him in the second half, but (Dahm) is the MVP. He deserved it.”

Miller, the hero for Dock in Thursday’s come-frombehind semifinal win over Upper Perk, was defended tightly by Dahm and was held to four points in the first half. He did add nine more after halftime as Dock got to within five, but Springfield was able to pull away in the fourth.

A bucket by Dahm on a strong drive to the hoop put the Spartans up 36-29 early in the fourth and Springfield led by at least six the rest of the way.

Miller earned a spot on the All-Tournament team along with Armstrong, whose 15 points were a team-high for Dock.

Matt Krewson led the Spartans with 15 points, including 11 in the second half.

Earlier in the evening, Upper Perk earned a 38-36 win over Plumstead Christian in the consolation game.