Springfield will try to keep that balanced scoring up as the tournament starts later this week. Springfield’s first tournament game is at 5 p.m. Friday against Tecumseh at Trotwood-Madison.
Guards Michael McKay and Michael Wallace along with forward Leonard Taylor have consistently added scoring depth that helped transform Springfield into one of the state’s best this season. While McKay and Taylor were both expected to score this season after playing significant roles on varsity last year, Wallace and RaHeim Moss have added depth as newcomers.
“Our guys are talented, but not everyone can always hit every shot,” Springfield coach Isaiah Carson said. “What’s really made us successful is that these guys know when to pass or know when they have a great shot and should take it. Nobody’s selfish on this team. To see guys like Mike (Wallace) and RaHeim step up is great too. They’ve been working extremely hard at getting better and have put in a lot of time, and it’s paid off.”
Wallace averages 7.8 points per game and scored in double figures in Springfield’s last two regular season games. He scored a career-high 21 points on Saturday in a 68-60 win over Miamisburg, 14 of which came in the second half to help the team overcome a halftime deficit.
“When other guys aren’t producing, someone else has to step up and produce,” Wallace said. “That’s being a team. It has to be ‘next man up’ all the time; you can’t slack.”
Taylor has led Springfield in the post with an average of 9.2 rebounds per game and also averages 13 points. Moss didn’t see varsity action until Dec. 27, but since then he’s become the team’s most valuable post player off the bench. Moss, a 6-3 forward, has scored in double figures three times and averages 6.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
McKay has been the team’s second-leading scorer behind Davis each of the last two seasons. He averages 14.6 points per game and has scored 20 or more in six games. One of his biggest performances came in the ‘Cats 67-55 win over Wayne on Jan. 13, when he scored a team-high 20 and brought down seven rebounds.
McKay has played key roles in Springfield’s last two tournament runs, first as a sophomore off of the bench two years ago when the team made it to the regional finals, then as a starter last year during a run to the district finals.
“I feel like we’re ready to play,” McKay said. “We had guys step up (in the tournament) the last two years and I think if we keep working hard, we’ll go far.”
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