Lions begin season with 2 road wins
This past Friday and Saturday was a continuation of the regular season from last year, as the Fairfield Lions won twice in as many nights by defeating the Manchester Greyhounds and the East Clinton Astros.
Friday night was the season opener for the Lions, and they continued to be a top team in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference by defeating Manchester, 52-44.
Fairfield held a one-point lead at the conclusion of the first quarter with an 11-10 lead. The Lions roared back in the second quarter with 16 points in the eight-minute frame, while their defense held MHS to nine points for a 27-19 halftime advantage.
The Lions in the third quarter outscored the Greyhounds 11-7, and in the fourth quarter Manchester won the frame at 18-14.
Larkin Friend finished with a double-double by scoring 13 points and collecting 15 rebounds. He made five two-point baskets and one 3-pointer. His rebound totals saw him have seven offensive boards and eight on the defensive side. Friend also had eight assists, four steals and a block.
Trey House led the Lions in scoring with 15 points, making five two-point buckets and a 3-pointer. He was also 2-of-6 from the free-throw line, and he totaled seven rebounds, five steals and one assist.
Chase Newman finished with 10 points, making five two-point field goals, plus he grabbed three rebounds.
Cade Miller followed with eight points (two 3-pointers), six rebounds and three steals.
Other FHS scoring included Gabe Fouch with three points (two rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block), Logan McIntosh with two points (seven rebounds) and Janre Lerio with one point (one rebound, one assist).
As a team, the Lions shot 41.5 percent, made four 3-pointers and were 4-of-10 from the free-throw line. They also collected 41 rebounds, 14 assists, 14 steals and three blocks, plus committed 19 turnovers.
On Saturday (Dec. 2), the Lions won handily over East Clinton, 62-21 in non-conference action.
Fairfield jumped out to an early 21-4 lead by the time the first quarter ended, followed by a 19-6 second quarter, leaving them in front 40-10 at halftime.
In the third quarter, FHS outscored the host Astros, 17-10, and in the fourth quarter the Lions won the frame 5-1 for the 41-point win.
Fairfield had three players score in double figures, with Larkin Friend leading the way with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Friend made six two-point baskets, one 3-pointer and was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.
Chase Newman totaled 16 points in the win, making three 3-pointers, three two-point baskets and one free-throw in one attempt.
Gabe Fouch finished with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Other scoring totals for the Lions included Logan McIntosh with three points (two rebounds); Trey House with seven points, including two 3-pointers (three rebounds, one assist, two steals); Cade Miller with three points (four rebounds, one assist, two steals); and Janre Lerio with three points (one rebound, one assist, two steals).
Brody Smith had a block, and Dane Hodson finished with one rebound, one assist and one steal. Also for the Lions, Griffin Friend had two rebounds.
As a team the, Lions shot 54.8 percent and made seven 3-pointers, plus collected 24 rebounds, 10 assists, 12 steals, one block and committed eight turnovers.
The Lions are now 1-0 in the SHAC and 2-0 overall.