Lions advance to district semifinals; defeat Federal Hocking

Thursday night saw the No. 3 seeded Fairfield Lions defeat the No. 14 seeded Federal Hocking Lancers 78-51 at Fairfield’s Grandle Gymnasium in the DIvision VII SE District Quarterfinals. 

The Lions (16-6) earned the win by having a strong start with a 28-12 first quarter that saw them have 13 points in the eight-minute frame by Caleb Rice, as that frame he made three 3-pointers and two two-point baskets. The first frame also had Griffin Friend score eight points with two threes and a two-point bucket. 

Fairfield also had a 3-pointer in the first frame from Brody Smith, plus one basket each made by Zach Ahsaruk and Landyn Hoskins. 

The second frame belonged to Federal Hocking as they outscored the Lions 16-7, but it was Fairfield leading 35-28 at halftime. 

In that second frame, all seven points for Fairfield were scored by Smith, who made three two-pointers and a free throw. 

The Lions returned to the court following the halftime break with a 16-10 frame, building their lead to 13 points at 51-38. Fairfield's third quarter included six points from Friend, eight points by Quentin McIntosh off four two-point baskets, and two points scored by Rice. 

Fairfield outscored the Lancers 27-13 in the fourth quarter for their 27-point win. 

The Lions in the fourth quarter had 14 points from Smith with two 3-pointers and four two-point baskets. Also in the fourth frame, Rice scored four points off two baskets, Friend had three points in the quarter and Joel Matthews scored six points off three two-point baskets. 

For the game, the Lions were led by Smith with 24 points as he finished the game with seven two-point baskets, three 3-pointers, and he was 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. 

Rice ended the game with 19 points off five two-pointers and three 3-pointers. 

Friend totaled 17 points in the win with four two-point field goals, two 3-pointers, and he was 3-of-6 from the free-throw line. 

FHS also saw McIntosh end the game with eight points off four two-point buckets, and scoring six points was Matthews as he made three two-pointers. Scouring two points each were Ahsaruk and Hoskins as both players made a basket. 

Team totals for the Lions were 23 two-point baskets, 10 3-pointers, and they were 4-of-10 from the free-throw line. 

Federal Hocking was led by Cameron Joy with 30 points, as he made five two-point baskets, five 3-pointers, and he was also 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. 

The rest of the scoring for Federal Hocking included: Skylar Lucas (3), Gabe Bray (8), Dillon Haynes (2), Noah Blake (2), Brody Rutter (2) and Gage Sealey (4). 

Federal Hocking team totals were: 12 two-point baskets, seven 3-pointers, and they were 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. 

Next for No. 3 seeded Fairfield (16-6) is a Division VII SE District Semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3 against No. 11 seeded South Gallia (8-15) at Southeastern High School at 8 p.m. On Thursday, South Gallia upset No. 6 seeded Franklin-Furance Green (12-11) by an 85-79 score in overtime in their quarterfinal game. 

BOX SCORE
FHHS    12 16 10 13 — 51
FHS       28 07 16 27 — 78