Springfield, IL -- O.S. Springfield (6-0) continued their dominat start of the season, dismantling Chicago St. Patrick 97-38 in the Our Savior's Thanksgiving Tournament on Tuesday night.
Coming off a record-breaking 18 three-pointer performance, the Eagles swtiched up their offensive approach, dominating the paint and controlling the glass with a staggering 55-10 rebounding advantage.
The duo of Jace Easley and Conor McCaffrey once again led the way, combining for 61 points, while Jeremiah Perkins provided a strong interior presense in his sixth career game at center.
After torching Danville from deep the previous night, Springfield focused on an inside-out attack against St. Patrick. The Eagles scored 68 points in the paint, relying on their superior rebounding and transition game rather than their outside shooting.
"Definitely rebounding is key and will be through the end of the season," said Head Coach Phillip Heppe. "It gives us that ability to get the break and run."
This fast-paced offensive adjustment led to Springfield making just five-three pointers in the game but converting at an elite efficiency in the paint.
Jace Easley continued his torrid scoring pace, finishing with 32 points and leading the fast break with ease. Meanwhile, Conor McCaffrey added 29 points, maintaining his historic streak of double-doubles as he continued to pick apart defenses with precision passing.
"We've got so many weapons, we just take what the defense gives us," McCaffrey said. "If they step out on us, we attack the rim. If they pack the paint, we shoot it. That's what makes us so dangerous."
With the Easley-McCaffrey connection thriving, O.S. Springfield has now won six straight games by an average of 40+ points.
The 6'3 eighth-grader from California, Jeremiah PErkins, continues to show rapid improvement in his first season as the team's full-time center.
Playing in just his sixth career game at the position, Perkins controlled the interior, forced multiple fouls on defenders, and helped secure Springfield's rebounding edge.
"Jeremiah puts a lot of pressure at the rim, and that leads to a lot of fouls on the other guys," Heppe noted. "His growth has been great to see."
Perkins remained focused on improving his role in the system, stating, "I just go out there and do what I have to do. I need to go out there and do it every day."
The Eagles now turn their attention to the Thanksgiving Tournament Championship Round, where they will face Pleasant Plains (3-0) in what is expected to be their toughest test of the tournament so far.
But the real challenge looms on December 2nd, when O.S. Springfield will face Defending Indiana State Champions Immanuel Seymour (6-0) in a high-stakes interstate showdown.
LSA analyst Marcus Taylor weighed in on Springfield's upcoming battles:
*"Pleasant Plains will be a solid test, but Immanuel Seymour is the first team that could actually push Springfield this season. That's when we'll see just how good this team really is."
For now, O.S. Springfield remains undefeated, dominant, and poised to keep making history.