Lady Lions fall to Green Devils
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
SEAMAN - The Fairfield Lady Lions fought and clawed with the North Adams Lady Green Devils Thursday night for three and a half quarters, but it was the Lady Devils who caught fire in the final minutes as they clinched a share of the Division I Southern Hills League title, defeating the Lady Lions 66-54.
FHS had troubles from the foul line and committed too many turnovers according to head coach Matt Hodson.
"Their (North Adams) pressure and their ability to push the ball up the floor caused us to eventually run out of gas," he said. "We committed 25 turnovers for the game and only converted 11 of 25 free throws"
The trio of junior Chelsey Riddle, senior Gabby Boone, and senior Lauren Bowman led the way for the Lady Lions.
Boone and Bowman led FHS with 17 points each, followed by Riddle with 16. Boone and Riddle earned double doubles by adding 10 rebounds each. Bowman had five assists and junior Megan Sword had six assists.
North Adams' Karli Beasly led all scorers with a game-high 31 points. Beasley netted 23 first half points.
"(Karli) Beasly is one heck of a player," Hodson said. "The last two games we have played her she has averaged 34 points per game."
The Lady Lions started the SHL contest with top effort, with Bowman draining a 3-point shot.
Boone and Riddle added with their inside play, as each made baskets and grabbed tough offensive rebounds for second chance opportunities.
Neither team led by more than five points throughout the game, as each team would answer the points by their league opponent.
The landscape of the game changed at the end of the third quarter with Bowman making a layup as time expired, only to have it nullified as she was called for an offensive foul.
After the Lady Lions were hit with a techenical foul following the call, their five point trail turned into seven when NA sank both free-throws.
FHS continued to keep the game within striking distance, but near the 3:00 mark of the final quarter the Lady Devils pulled away.
"When you have three players score the way my girls did you would think that we would win the game," Hodson said. "North Adams is a good team as they received the No. 1 seed in their sectional."
FHS will face Franklin Furnace Green in the Division IV Sectional tournament on Thursday, Feb. 18 at Northwest High School. Tickets are on sale at Fairfield High School for $5. For all tickets purchased at FHS, some of the proceeds will go back to the school.
The day was emotional for FHS as former head coach Kevin Fouch was laid to rest.
"North Adams recognized coach Fouch with a very nice tribute on their scoreboard and a moment of silence prior to the start of the game," Hodson said. "I have known Kevin for most of my life as he played for the Lions with my brother in the early 70s. He was an assistant coach on my high school baseball team in the 80s. As an adult he was always around with that smile and his every present welcome to me: 'Hoooodson, whats goin on?'
"The village of Leesburg and Fairfield Schools have lost a one of a kind man, he will be missed."[[In-content Ad]]
FHS had troubles from the foul line and committed too many turnovers according to head coach Matt Hodson.
"Their (North Adams) pressure and their ability to push the ball up the floor caused us to eventually run out of gas," he said. "We committed 25 turnovers for the game and only converted 11 of 25 free throws"
The trio of junior Chelsey Riddle, senior Gabby Boone, and senior Lauren Bowman led the way for the Lady Lions.
Boone and Bowman led FHS with 17 points each, followed by Riddle with 16. Boone and Riddle earned double doubles by adding 10 rebounds each. Bowman had five assists and junior Megan Sword had six assists.
North Adams' Karli Beasly led all scorers with a game-high 31 points. Beasley netted 23 first half points.
"(Karli) Beasly is one heck of a player," Hodson said. "The last two games we have played her she has averaged 34 points per game."
The Lady Lions started the SHL contest with top effort, with Bowman draining a 3-point shot.
Boone and Riddle added with their inside play, as each made baskets and grabbed tough offensive rebounds for second chance opportunities.
Neither team led by more than five points throughout the game, as each team would answer the points by their league opponent.
The landscape of the game changed at the end of the third quarter with Bowman making a layup as time expired, only to have it nullified as she was called for an offensive foul.
After the Lady Lions were hit with a techenical foul following the call, their five point trail turned into seven when NA sank both free-throws.
FHS continued to keep the game within striking distance, but near the 3:00 mark of the final quarter the Lady Devils pulled away.
"When you have three players score the way my girls did you would think that we would win the game," Hodson said. "North Adams is a good team as they received the No. 1 seed in their sectional."
FHS will face Franklin Furnace Green in the Division IV Sectional tournament on Thursday, Feb. 18 at Northwest High School. Tickets are on sale at Fairfield High School for $5. For all tickets purchased at FHS, some of the proceeds will go back to the school.
The day was emotional for FHS as former head coach Kevin Fouch was laid to rest.
"North Adams recognized coach Fouch with a very nice tribute on their scoreboard and a moment of silence prior to the start of the game," Hodson said. "I have known Kevin for most of my life as he played for the Lions with my brother in the early 70s. He was an assistant coach on my high school baseball team in the 80s. As an adult he was always around with that smile and his every present welcome to me: 'Hoooodson, whats goin on?'
"The village of Leesburg and Fairfield Schools have lost a one of a kind man, he will be missed."[[In-content Ad]]