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Looking to put a difficult first half of the season in the rearview mirror, Springstead will compete in the eight-team Sunlake High School New Year’s Invitational across the next few days.

The Eagles start out tonight taking on Ridgewood at 5:30 p.m. and will play twice more in the bracketed tournament that runs through Friday.

Gulf, Bradenton-IMG Academy, Mitchell, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills comprise the rest of the field.

Springstead (3-8) comes in off a 1-2 performance in the Indian Rocks Christian School Holiday Tournament.

The Eagles played without starting point guard Nick Steadman, who was rested to nurse a knee injury he initially suffered in the offseason.

Naquan Inniss also missed the first two games of the IRCS Tourney for disciplinary reasons. Inniss returned for the final contest and scored 18 points in a 64-52 win over St. Petersburg-Dixie Hollins.

Steadman will rejoin the team at Sunlake, and Springstead Head Coach Steve Thompson believes the team’s lone returning starter is back at 100 percent.

That should help the Eagles going forward. Despite their overall record, they remain very much in contention for a playoff spot in the four-team Class 5A, District 7.

“We’ve had a hard time trying to learn the game. But I think they’re doing a good job,” Thompson said. “…I thought we showed a little more intensity (at Indian Rocks). After getting beat like we did the opening game (75-39 by Loyola Secondary), they didn’t quit and came back.

“I’m looking for the last half of the year to build for the district tournament and the playoffs.”

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Sunlake High School New Year’s Invitational
WHO: Gulf, Bradenton-IMG Academy, Mitchell, Ridgewood, Springstead, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.
WHEN: Jan. 6-8
WHERE: Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638
FORMAT: Bracketed tournament with three guaranteed games across three days.