The Phoenix

Norristown locks down Spring-Ford, 62-37

- By Dennis C. Way dway@21st-centurymed­ia.com

Norristown High boys basketball coach Dana “Binky” Johnsonhas beenpreach­ing all year about the importance of defense.

Friday night at Norristown High, the Eagles gave Spring-Ford a lesson in what they’ve learned.

Keyed by the scoring of Vernon Tubbs and Mickeel Allen and a defense that limited the visiting Rams to just 15 second-half points en route to a 62-37 win, a win that propelled Norristown into a tie with Methacton for first place in the PAC’s Liberty Division.

Tubbs had 20 points and Allen added 16 as the Eagles pulled away from a 12-point halftime lead and blew out the Rams.

“I think we’re starting to create an identity,” Johnson saidmoment­s after the win. “We’re starting to gel as a team at the right time.”

The contest began like it might be a down-to-the-wire knee buckler, but after creating a little space by halftime, the Eagles simply turned up the second-half defensive heat, and toasted the Rams.

Tubbs then all but secured the verdict when he scored the first seven points of the fourth quar

ter and the Eagles defense administer­ed the clamps to the Rams’ attack.

Spring-Ford used the scoring of Noah Baker (10 first-half points) to stay close. But once the Eagles turned up the volume on their defense in the second half, the Rams were no match.

“We’re starting to gel at the right time,” Johnson said. “Offense wins games, but defense wins championsh­ips.”

 ?? GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Norristown’s Tyler Tate pulls up to shoot as Spring-Ford’s Austin Hokanson defends Friday night.
GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Norristown’s Tyler Tate pulls up to shoot as Spring-Ford’s Austin Hokanson defends Friday night.
 ?? GENEWALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Spring-Ford’s Nestor Diaz goes in for a lay up during Friday’s game against Norristown.
GENEWALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Spring-Ford’s Nestor Diaz goes in for a lay up during Friday’s game against Norristown.
 ?? GENEWALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ?? Spring-Ford’s Harrison Pierce dribbles up court as Norristown’s Tyler Lyons defends Friday.
GENEWALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Spring-Ford’s Harrison Pierce dribbles up court as Norristown’s Tyler Lyons defends Friday.

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