Springfield’s Anabel Kreydt, right, drives on Marple Newtown’s Mackenzie Hilden in a game from last season. Kreydt is now one of Springfield’s three team-leading juniors. PETE BANNAN – MEDIANEWS GROUP
By Matt Smith
Lexi Aaron and Springfield’s other juniors understand what is at stake for them this season.
The sophomores and freshmen are looking to them for leadership.
Aaron, who scored a game-high 16 points to help the Cougars to a 42-36 Central League win over Marple Newtown Friday, realizes that a lot is expected of her, point guard Mia Valerio and forward Anabel Kreydt, the three juniors who not long ago were role players as freshmen on a team that won the first of two straight District 1 Class 5A titles in 2020.
They were able to stay in the background last season, too, as members of a great team that went undefeated until the semifinal round of the PIAA tournament. Now, since Springfield doesn’t have any seniors, this is Aaron’s, Kreydt’s and Valerio’s team. They have the most varsity experience, by far. The good thing is, they learned how it’s done from two of the the program’s very best.
“I think we learned so much from Rachel and Alexa and the seniors from last year. The way they did things, that is built into us,” Aaron said.