Springbrook has a Devil of a chance at a state berth

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006

Memories of 35 years ago come to mind for the new Springbrook girls basketball head coach, Oliver Riggs Jr. when he addresses his senior-laden Blue Devils. In his first year as the varsity coach, Riggs inherits a team that has won back-to-back region championships, so he knows he has the talent to work with.

But he’s ambitious — Riggs wants more than just a regional title. He wants to build a legacy much like the one he was part of as a high-school student.

‘‘I told the seniors that when we walk into the gym, I want to see their banner on the wall,” said Riggs, who is replacing former coach Suzette Thom. ‘‘I still see my 1972 banner at Sherwood — the only undefeated team in Sherwood baseball history. I still remember that 35 years later, and I want that for this group. We have the talent to do it. Whenever people come into the gym, I want to see that banner.”

Riggs is talking about a state championship, something that the Blue Devils have been within reach of in the past two years, in which they won a combined 43 games, but couldn’t get. It would be their first in school history. Two years ago, they got the closest, actually leading eventual state title-winner Eleanor Roosevelt late in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, but they’ve never been able to quite go all the way.

With the veteran experience that Springbrook has this year, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Though their leading scorer from last year, Joia Daniels (12.3 points per game), is gone, more than enough talent returns. The lineup is led by its three-year starting floor general, senior point guard Taryn Christian, who played at guard and forward last year, and has developed a consistent jump shot over the summer that has Riggs excited. He feels the Christian or fellow senior Eryn Withers, the team’s best perimeter shooter, will be the go-to options in the Blue Devils offense. Withers didn’t start last year, but hit numerous big jump shots down the stretch of games to help propel the Blue Devils deep into the playoffs a year ago.

In the paint lies another strength for Springbrook: size. Junior Wilize Maleombho (6-foot-1) is the team’s best low-post scoring threat, and has the height to make herself a tough cover for any power forward in the county. Then in the pivot is senior Eryeal Jones (6-2), who has what Riggs describes as an ‘‘incredible” wingspan to give Springbrook its shot blocker. A fourth senior, forward Ashley Moore, is the best perimeter defender, and rounds out the experienced lineup.

The Blue Devils have size, but look for the Blue Devils to run a lot this year. With Christian and Withers, Springbrook has quick guards that will look to push the tempo. With speed, size, experience and defensive stoppers in tow, Riggs may have inherited a gold mine.

He hopes, at least.

‘‘Whether that equates to all the wins people think you should have isn’t necessarily true all the time, but our goals are set very high,” he said. ‘‘First. We want to win the division, then second comes the region, and lastly is to win states. That’s what we’re all hoping for.‘‘