Different, but deeper now

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007

Different, but deeper now

by Dan Greenberg | Staff Writer

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There’s going to be an adjustment process at the beginning of the season for the Springbrook girls basketball team. It’s just not like last year, or even the years before that.

Last season was a banner one for the Blue Devils, as they went 20-4 before bowing out in the 4A North Region Final to Blake. They were led by the combination of two fantastic senior guards who essentially did it all for them. Point guard Taryn Christian, a first-team All-Gazette performer, was one of the best all-around players in the county, and was among the team leaders in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Her running mate was shooting guard Eryn Withers, who led the team with over 14 points per game.

Not only are they not to be seen with the new-look Blue Devils, but neither is their head coach from a year ago, Oliver Riggs Jr., who had a double-bypass surgery shortly before the season began. In his stead is Kearney Francis, who knows that there’s a lot of work to be done.

‘‘We graduated several excellent players last year,” said Francis. ‘‘It’s always tough to project a team’s success — as with any team, depending on how they come together, we could end up anywhere from .500 to being a challenger for the region.”

If Springbrook is to make it back to the regional finals and potentially beyond, it will likely do it with a different identity. A year ago, it was a guard-dominated squad. This year, it will depend mightily on two post players, Alyssa Montgomery and Wilize Maleombho. The senior Maleombho actually came on strong towards the end of last season, leading the team in rebounding. But she will become a focal point of the offense this time around.

Along with senior guard Melisa Corado-Williams, the Blue Devils will also throw three transfers into the mix. Junior Ferin Richardson comes over from St. John’s (D.C.), while sophomore Sunny Conway-Flores and Jasmine Grenaway moved over from within the Northeast Consortium. The trio of transfers add depth that the team did not necessarily possess a year ago.

‘‘So far, these girls have shown me a willingness to work hard and a desire to be competitive,” said Francis. ‘‘I am excited to see what develops.”

Location: Silver Spring

Nickname: Blue Devils

Head coach: Kearney Francis, 1st year

State classification: 4A

Last year’s record: 20-4

Last regional title: 2006 (8th)

Last state title: 1983 (1st)

Players to watch: C Wilize Maleombho, F Alyssa Montgomery, G Melisa Corado-Williams