Springdale edges Apollo-Ridge to move closer to playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 | 11:27 PM

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Springdale had been in tight late-game situations on several occasions this season and more often than not found a way to get the job done.

All of those moments built toward one with a potential playoff spot on the line, and with the stakes heightened to the max, senior leader Mike Zolnierczyk stepped up to make sure the boys basketball team took care of business again.

Zolnierczyk made a layup with 21.9 seconds remaining to put the Dynamos ahead, and they held off Apollo-Ridge from there for a 50-47 victory in front of a raucous home crowd.

“Our team has fought through a lot of adversity this season with injuries to Roman (Liberati) and (Logan) Dexter,” Zolnierczyk said. “We’ve been in a lot of close games. Being able to come out here and be ready for games like this, not making excuses and getting it done when it counts is a great feeling.”

The Dynamos (11-8, 7-6) are tied with Apollo-Ridge (11-10, 7-6) for fourth place in the Section 1-2A standings, and they hold the tiebreaker by sweeping the season series. Springdale won the first meeting 47-45 on Jan. 8.

The Dynamos can clinch a playoff berth with a win over archrival Riverview on Friday. Apollo-Ridge can get in with a win over Propel Braddock Hills and a Springdale loss. If both teams lose, Springdale gets in.

Apollo-Ridge guard Jake Fello hit a pair of free throws to tie the score 47-47 with a minute remaining, but Zolnierczyk answered on the next possession with his winning score.

Springdale has won three games on buzzer-beaters this season and had to withstand a last-second 3-point attempt from Jake Fello that rimmed out before celebrating at midcourt.

Dynamos coach Aaron Epps leaped high in the air as the buzzer sounded before joining his team in celebration. He said playing so many close games this season was a key for Springdale on Wednesday.

“Our kids are fine with the moment,” Epps said. “They don’t get overwhelmed. They had a lot of composure tonight, and I’m proud of them. We’ve been in must-win mode for about two and a half weeks. I’m just proud of our kids because there’s been a lot of pressure on them, and they stepped up.”

Springdale led 34-29 after three quarters and by seven with just less than two minutes remaining when Apollo-Ridge started to make its run. Keighton Reese nailed a 3-pointer that cut the lead to 46-42, but he was called for his fifth foul trying to trap Demitri Fritch in the corner two seconds later.

Apollo-Ridge was in trouble for the majority of the fourth quarter with four starters having four fouls.

Zach Hreha came off the bench for Reese and nailed a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 47-45. Vikings senior guard Bobby Mangan had eight of 13 points in the fourth quarter, but his team couldn’t get over the hump.

“The kids fought hard, and I’m proud of their effort, but we just made a few too many mistakes,” Apollo-Ridge coach Greg Fox said. “We got in some foul trouble and couldn’t overcome that.”

The game had all the ingredients one would expect to come with playoff implications. The gym was packed, and the crowd was boisterous throughout the contest. Fans were treated to a tight game. Neither team led by more than eight points, and there were seven lead changes.

Zolnierczyk was quiet through the first half, scoring only four points, but teammates Demitri Fritch and Ben Myford paced the team. Myford had eight of his 13 points in the first half, and Fritch had seven of his 13 points.

Zolnierczyk got going in the fourth, scoring seven of his team-high 18 points and going 3 for 4 from the foul line.

“They were face-guarding me in the first half and a little bit in the second, but the guys around me stepped up and started scoring,” Zolnierczyk said. “That loosened up their defense on me a little bit, and I could start helping out.”

Klay Fitzroy led Apollo-Ridge with a game-high 19 points, and Reese scored 10.

“We’re still in this,” Fox said. “We’ll get back to practice tomorrow and work hard to be ready for Friday. We’ll be Riverview fans on Friday, but we have to take care of business first.”

Springdale lost at Riverview, 59-39, on Jan. 15 and was in the same win-and-in scenario two years ago against Riverview and lost. The Dynamos are aware Riverview would love to spoil their season again Friday.

“Two years ago they knocked us off, and we didn’t make the playoffs, so hopefully Friday it’ll be a different result,” Zolnierczyk said.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Springdale