Lions win scoring onslaught with Fayetteville
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
A 32-point first quarter by the Fairfield Lions set the tone for the first of their two Southern Hills Athletic Conference games with Fayetteville of the season, with the visiting Lions defeating the Fayetteville Rockets, 87-78 Tuesday.
The win by the Lions moves them to 3-0 in the Division II of the SHAC (5-3 overall), while dropping the Rockets to 1-1 in the conference.
"We came out and hit five threes in the first to set the tone," FHS head coach Everett Snyder said. "We set them back off their heels and scored off the opening tip.
"One problem we overcame was foul trouble in the first half, but I want to commend our bench, and they kept the game from getting out of hand in the first half."
Following the Lions leading 32-17 after the conclusion of the first quarter, the Rockets scored 23 points in the second, while holding the Lions to 12 points.
The Lions led 44-40 at halftime.
In the third, the Lions rebounded by holding the hosts to a nine-point third quarter, while scoring 14 points of their own.
In the fourth, each team scored 29 points.
For the Lions, Ryan Bates scored a team-high 21 points, while adding seven rebounds. Bates made nine two-point baskets while finishing 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.
"Traditionally, Ryan has good games against Fayetteville," Snyder said. "He took advantage of his height, and he played a good game overall."
Gage Montgomery, who suffered a mouth injury in the game affecting three of his front teeth, collected a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Montgomery was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, as he also scored six two-point baskets.
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"Gage had a good game rebounding and left the game in the fourth with his injury," Snyder said.
Blake Hildebrant followed with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Joey Wilson added 12 points and seven boards. Wilson was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.
Also for the Lions, Brant Huff scored 10 points (4-of-4 from the free-throw line), including two 3-pointers. Matthew Leach totaled eight points and five rebounds, while Cody Bennett rounded out the scoring with four points.
For the Rockets, D.J. Iles finished with a game-high 33 points, and Max Iles totaled 23 points.
The Lions finished 28-of-37 from the free-throw line. Fayetteville shot 34 free-throws.
"This game had a lot of fouls," Snyder said. "Fayetteville had three kids foul out, and we had one.
"We were hitting from the field, and we can win a lot of games if we continue to do that."
The Lions will play again on Friday when they travel to face Zane Trace in non-conference play.
The win by the Lions moves them to 3-0 in the Division II of the SHAC (5-3 overall), while dropping the Rockets to 1-1 in the conference.
"We came out and hit five threes in the first to set the tone," FHS head coach Everett Snyder said. "We set them back off their heels and scored off the opening tip.
"One problem we overcame was foul trouble in the first half, but I want to commend our bench, and they kept the game from getting out of hand in the first half."
Following the Lions leading 32-17 after the conclusion of the first quarter, the Rockets scored 23 points in the second, while holding the Lions to 12 points.
The Lions led 44-40 at halftime.
In the third, the Lions rebounded by holding the hosts to a nine-point third quarter, while scoring 14 points of their own.
In the fourth, each team scored 29 points.
For the Lions, Ryan Bates scored a team-high 21 points, while adding seven rebounds. Bates made nine two-point baskets while finishing 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.
"Traditionally, Ryan has good games against Fayetteville," Snyder said. "He took advantage of his height, and he played a good game overall."
Gage Montgomery, who suffered a mouth injury in the game affecting three of his front teeth, collected a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Montgomery was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, as he also scored six two-point baskets.
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"Gage had a good game rebounding and left the game in the fourth with his injury," Snyder said.
Blake Hildebrant followed with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Joey Wilson added 12 points and seven boards. Wilson was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.
Also for the Lions, Brant Huff scored 10 points (4-of-4 from the free-throw line), including two 3-pointers. Matthew Leach totaled eight points and five rebounds, while Cody Bennett rounded out the scoring with four points.
For the Rockets, D.J. Iles finished with a game-high 33 points, and Max Iles totaled 23 points.
The Lions finished 28-of-37 from the free-throw line. Fayetteville shot 34 free-throws.
"This game had a lot of fouls," Snyder said. "Fayetteville had three kids foul out, and we had one.
"We were hitting from the field, and we can win a lot of games if we continue to do that."
The Lions will play again on Friday when they travel to face Zane Trace in non-conference play.