SPRINGFIELD – Hoisting her team onto her back has been somewhat of a commonplace occurrence this season for Springfield junior guard Darissa Romero Ah-Sam.
That was out of the question Friday night. Playing host to No. 1-ranked Crater, the No. 6 Millers got crushed by the Comets, 74-44, as Romero Ah-Sam played sparingly with a back injury.
Springfield sophomore Iyahna Woodard scored on a putback with 2:55 left in the first quarter to give the Millers an early 12-9 lead.
It would be a short-lived advantage.
Sparked by Taylor Young, who netted a game-high 21 points, Crater scored the next 16 points as the Comets (24-1) cruised to the Midwestern League championship.
“We got tired, we played 5-6 girls the whole game, so we got winded,” Millers coach Joe Williamson said. “They’re a good team and they kept the pressure on us and wore us down. I didn’t want to keep Darissa out there, she wanted to play but I have to be concerned about her health. She has a disk problem and sciatic nerve pain.”
She played for two very short stints during the first half and scored 4 points. The Millers were led by sophomore Sailor Hall’s 17 points and Ikunaday Filipe’s 8.
Despite the lopsided defeat, Williamson said he’s confident his team can keep making noise in the state playoffs. Two years ago, Springfield won a state title; last year’s team finished fourth.
“I love this team. I still think we have a chance to do some damage at the state tournament,” Williamson said. “Win a playoff game and go to the state tournament, that’s our goal.”
Of course, much depends on the health of Romero Ah-Sam, who has been battling back problems all season. Her latest flareup happened Sunday when she was bending down to pick a shirt up off the floor.
“We had three starters who were injured during last year’s tournament,” Williamson said. “Diamond Wright had a quad injury, Danaeja Romero Ah-Sam had an ankle injury, and Kayla Morris had a back injury.”
They all played, but they were all limited.
“Three years ago when we got second place we were in a spot like this and nobody expected it – I have no doubt that this team can have that kind of success,” Williamson said. “If Darissa is healthy, and if we shoot well – we didn’t shoot well tonight – I’m not counting us out. We played Crater at their place and lost by six, we played Silverton, the No. 2 team in the state, and lost by three, so we know we can play with anybody. Once you’re at state, it’s one game at a time, and things get a little tighter.”
