Fairfield blasts North Adams, 85-47

Fairfield blasts North Adams, 85-47

Chris Cox scores 35 to lead Lions

SEAMAN – Fairfield Coach Matt Carson said his team had had a series of good practi ces, but even he did not anticipate the Lions' relatively easy 85-47 victory over the North Adams Green Devils on their home floor Wednesday, Jan. 5.

"I anticipated that we would play well, but nothing like this," the coach said. "This is what happens when you have real good practices. I've never seen the kids smile so much."

The Lions entered the game with a 1-6 overall record and had played the early schedule without the services of Chris Cox. 

Cox seemed determined to make up for lost time Wednesday, leading all scorers with 35 points, while sitting out the entire fourth period and the final 1:07 of the third quarter. Late in the first half, Cox drained back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the Lions' lead to 41-18. He added 14 points in the first six minutes of the third quarter before Carson gave the big man with a brace on his right knee a well-deserved rest. 

"Chris worked a lot on his 3-point shooting over the summer," Carson said. "But Chris will be the first to tell you that it's not about individual accolades. It's about the team. This was a team win."

Fairfield's aggressive, full-court press led to several early North Adams turnovers and a 21-6 first-period edge. The second quarter wasn't much better for Coach Dave Young's squad, as Fairfield outscored the Green Devils, 21-12, in the second frame.

As well as the Lions played in the first half, they were hitting on every cylinder coming out of the locker room in the third. Cox started the scoring after being fouled by Seth Sparks. Cody Ferrell added another free throw to make it a 44-20 game, following a Caleb Harper bucket for North Adams.

Then, the onslaught began. Fairfield guard Quentin Williams found Cameron Rolark for two and then collected another assist to Ferrell. A steal by Ian Adams led to another basket by Cox, with Rolark picking up the assist at the 6:02 mark for a 52-20 score. Williams added a third assist to Cox for another layup, followed by an Adams to Rolark score and a 57-20 ballgame.

"We played as a team and moved the ball well," said Carson, who summed up his team's play in one word: "Wow."

By the time the third quarter ended, the Lions owned a commanding 71-29 lead.

"I'm so happy for the kids tonight," Carson said. "They needed this to turn things around. They never stopped believing in me and I never stopped believing in them. Nothing can break that unity. Now, we're ready to turn this thing around."

North Adams had solid second-half play from junior Quintin Baker, who scored six of his seven points in the third quarter, and sophomore Levi Bales, who came off the bench to score five points. Bales also blocked four shots on the night – three in the jayvee game and one in the varsity contest.

In addition to Cox's game-high 35 points, Fairfield (2-6) got 15 points from Rolark, nine from Williams, and eight from Ferrell. All Fairfield players scored and contributed to the victory.

Senior Drew Dollich paced North Adams (3-3) with 10 points. Baker scored seven points, and Harper and Bales each scored five.

Score by quarters

FHS —   21  21  29  14 – 85

NAHS — 06  12  11  18 – 47    

SEAMAN – Fairfield Coach Matt Carson said his team had had a series of good practices, but even he did not anticipate the Lions' relatively easy 85-47 victory over the North Adams Green Devils on their home floor Wednesday, Jan. 5.

"I anticipated that we would play well, but nothing like this," the coach said. "This is what happens when you have real good practices. I've never seen the kids smile so much."

The Lions entered the game with a 1-6 overall record and had played the early schedule without the services of Chris Cox. 

Cox seemed determined to make up for lost time Wednesday, leading all scorers with 35 points, while sitting out the entire fourth period and the final 1:07 of the third quarter.

Late in the first half, Cox drained back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the Lions' lead to 41-18. He added 14 points in the first six minutes of the third quarter before Carson gave the big man with a brace on his right knee a well-deserved rest. 

"Chris worked a lot on his 3-point shooting over the summer," Carson said. "But Chris will be the first to tell you that it's not about individual accolades. It's about the team. This was a team win."

Fairfield's aggressive, full-court press led to several early North Adams turnovers and a 21-6 first-period edge. The second quarter wasn't much better for Coach Dave Young's squad, as Fairfield outscored the Green Devils, 21-12, in the second frame.

As well as the Lions played in the first half, they were hitting on every cylinder coming out of the locker room in the third. Cox started the scoring after being fouled by Seth Sparks. Cody Ferrell added another free throw to make it a 44-20 game, following a Caleb Harper bucket for North Adams.

Then, the onslaught began. Fairfield guard Quentin Williams found Cameron Rolark for two and then collected another assist to Ferrell. A steal by Ian Adams led to another basket by Cox, with Rolark picking up the assist at the 6:02 mark for a 52-20 score. Williams added a third assist to Cox for another layup, followed by an Adams to Rolark score and a 57-20 ballgame.

"We played as a team and moved the ball well," said Carson, who summed up his team's play in one word: "Wow."

By the time the third quarter ended, the Lions owned a commanding 71-29 lead.

"I'm so happy for the kids tonight," Carson said. "They needed this to turn things around.
They never stopped believing in me and I never stopped believing in them. Nothing can break that unity. Now, we're ready to turn this thing around."

North Adams had solid second-half play from junior Quintin Baker, who scored six of his seven points in the third quarter, and sophomore Levi Bales, who came off the bench to score five points. Bales also blocked four shots on the night – three in the jayvee game and one in the varsity contest.

In addition to Cox's game-high 35 points, Fairfield (2-6) got 15 points from Rolark, nine from Williams, and eight from Ferrell. All Fairfield players scored and contributed to the victory.

Senior Drew Dollich paced North Adams (3-3) with 10 points. Baker scored seven points, and Harper and Bales each scored five.