City of Basketball Love

Jason Guarente (@JasonGuarente)
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(Ed. Note: This story is the latest in CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2021-22 season preview coverage. As we publish more, the complete list of schools previewed will be found here.)

The season Springfield (Delco.) had a year ago doesn’t require any reminders. Those achievements left an imprint. They can be recalled at a moment’s notice.

For the players who have returned, including three who will ascend to the captaincy, a reminder is there anyway. Each time they sit down for lunch they see the District 1 Class 5A trophy in a case in the cafeteria.

“We get to look at it every day,” Mia Valerio said. “Think about our hard work and all those memories that come with it.”

It was a dream for the Cougars - there’s no other way to put it - as they won their first 21 games, cut down the nets twice on their home floor, and reached the PIAA Class 5A girls’ basketball semifinals.

That’s a winter they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

“I think about how close our team was and how hard we worked every day,” Lexi Aaron said. “When we stepped onto the court, we didn’t feel like we were sophomores with the seniors out there. They always made us feel like we could do what we needed to win the game. That’s what ultimately led us to a great season.”

Now that they’ve awoken from the dream, Springfield moves forward with a roster that looks much different, with three of their top players lost to graduation.

Springfield (Delco.)'s girls celebrate their 2021 District 1 5A championship win. (Photo courtesy Springfield High School)

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Rachel Conran, who was named All-Delco first team by the Daily Times, and Alexa Abbonizio, named All-State third team by Pennsylvania’s sportswriters, are gone. So is point guard Kayla Cox.

That’s a lot to replace. 

Some of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Valerio, Aaron and Anabel Kreydt - the new captains.

“[They are] Great basketball players and great leaders,” coach Ky McNichol said of her departed seniors. “Those three taught them what it takes to be a champion and what it takes to put a team on your back. They’ve got big shoes to fill but I’m confident they’re going to do it. They’re going to carry on the legacy of Springfield basketball.”

The top returners for the Cougars are all Division I lacrosse recruits - Valerio is headed to Richmond, Aaron has chosen Towson, and Kreydt has yet to pick her destination. This will obviously be an athletic team and that usually means great defense.

These three juniors make up a solid foundation for the defending Central League champions, filling key positions with a lot of varsity experience. 

Valerio is the new point guard who produced 3-4 steals per game last season, while Aaron is the shooting guard who can fill it up from 3, and Kreydt, at nearly 6-2, guards the opposing team’s top post player. 

“They all rotated in the starting lineup as sophomores,” McNichol said. “They were sensational. Those three played their hearts out game in and game out. They were huge reasons why we were so successful, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Now it’s their turn to carry it over.”

Taylor Hunyet and Kaitlyn Kearney, also juniors, will be a part of the rotation, for a team that has captured back-to-back district titles. Last season the Cougars were the No. 1 seed and went through Mount Saint Joseph, Upper Moreland and Harriton on their way to the championship. 

They want to keep winning at that level.

“It’s going to be a different year because we’re so young,” Kreydt said. “But I think if we take the young girls under our wing and just show them what Springfield basketball is, we’ll be fine. We’re not expected to win every single game, but I think we’ll be pretty good.”

A high standard has been set at the program and McNichol said she doesn’t lower that standard even after great players graduate. The Cougars are striving to cut down some more nets.

“They’re capable of it because they work hard, they’re going to compete and they’re very athletic,” McNichol said. “They’re hard-nosed kids. We just don’t know where the pieces are going to fall yet. We have to have some young kids step up and fill some shoes that we lost.”

The returning girls will have inspiration staring at them every time they walk into the cafeteria.

Another season will be here soon.

A chance to make some new memories.