Springstead boys basketball season ends in district semifinals
This past winter was a solid season for Springstead High School’s boys basketball team this 2019-2020 campaign, but it didn’t quite end the way many thought it would for the Eagles.
An off-season of hype surrounding the Eagles’ varsity team, Springstead saw its season end at district play. In the Class 5A, District 6 tournament, the Eagles ended up falling to the Zephyrhills Bulldogs 62-57 in the district semifinals. The Bulldogs ended up facing Land O’ Lakes in the district final and lost 61-57 to the Gators a couple weeks ago.
The district tournament looked to have much promise for Springstead, as they were able to easily knock off New Port Richey Gulf 73-56 in the district quarterfinal match. In the one other meeting that Springstead and Zephyrhills had during the regular season, the Bulldogs were able to edge out the Eagles 54-46.
With the loss in the regional semifinals, Springstead finishes the season with a record of 17-8 and heads into the off-season with a lot of promise despite the early exit. The Eagles graduate four seniors from their roster, but do return leading scorer Unique Torain. Torain averaged 19.3 points per game and will be a senior on next season’s team. Springstead averaged 63 points per game as a team.
Hannah Rizzuto signs with Daytona State College; Jenna Ryan signs with Santa Fe State College
National Signing Day has come and gone and Springstead did have its fair share of athletes make commitments to playing on the next level. One of those players was softball star Hannah Rizzuto, who made her college commitment a couple weeks ago.
The first baseman/pitcher signed with Daytona State College and solidified her commitment just before the softball season gets going. Rizzuto was one of the Eagles’ top players from last season’s 20-7 squad.
Rizzuto batted .398 and was able to notch 33 hits and score 28 runs. Along with the aforementioned numbers, Rizzuto was also able to drive in 25 runs and hit three home runs for Springstead. This season, Rizzuto is expected to once again be one of the Eagles’ best players and a key cog at first base. The Eagles start their 2020 season when they face Crystal River at home.
Rizzuto wasn’t the only Springstead player who inked her name to a commitment letter, as fellow teammate Jenna Ryan also signed, signing with Santa Fe State College. Ryan has played on the varsity program all four years in high school and has an overall record of 4-0 as a pitcher. She has notched career totals of 43 runs, 58 hits, 7 home runs and 52 runs batted in.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
