Jim Walker

Jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WHEELERSBURG — The Fairland Dragons saved their best for last.

Trailing by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, the Dragons erupted for 27 points in the fourth quarter and rallied to beat the Wheelersburg Pirates 53-50 on Friday.

“We couldn’t get in a rhythm the first half, but we shot well down the stretch. Our free throw shooting in the fourth quarter was huge,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.

Fairland was 15 of 40 from the field and 20 of 29 from the foul line. Wheelersburg was 15 of 43 from the floor — just 2 of 13 from behind the 3-point line — and 18 of 25 from the foul line.

“Our defensive pressure was really good. Nathan Campbell and Luke Phillips did a nice job. We were able to force them to take shots quicker than they wanted,” said Speed.

Cody Midkiff scored 17 points and had 6 rebounds to lead the Dragons (6-3). Nathan Campbell had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals and Evan Maddox added 10 points before fouling out 30 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Wheelersburg (5-3) was led by Eddie Miller with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Derek Moore had 13 points and 6 rebounds before he fouled out and Dylan Miller added 11 points and 6 rebounds.

Behind 7-6 after the first quarter, Wheelersburg surged ahead 26-19 at the half as Moore and Eddie Miller scored 5 points each in the quarter.

Maddox had 7 of Fairland’s 12 points in the quarter.

The Pirates were up 35-26 after three quarters, but the Dragons stormed back in the fourth quarter as Midkiff scored 10 points. Campbell was 5 of 6 and Midkiff 5 of 8 at the foul line in the fourth quarter to spark the comeback.

The Dragons host Chesapeake Friday in a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference game. Both teams are unbeaten in the OVC.

Fairland 7 12 7 27 = 53

Wheelersburg 6 20 9 15 = 50

FAIRLAND (6-3): Thayer Flynn 0-0 0-1 2-2 2, Cody Midkiff 3-6 2-6 5-8 17, Chance Short 0-3 0-0 0-0 0, Phillip Beaty 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Luke Phillips 1-2 0-0 5-6 7, Nathan Campbell 3-4 0-1 5-6 11, Kyle Raines 1-3 0-1 1-2 3, Evan Maddox 3-7 1-4 1-3 10, Tyler Campbell 0-2 0-0 0-0 0, Dionte Braye 1-1 0-0 1-2 3. Totals: 15-40 20-29 53. 3-point goals: 3-11. Rebounds: 30 (Raines 11, N. Campbell 5, Braye 5, Midkiff 6). Assists: 4. Steals: 9 (N. Campbell 5). Turnovers: 9. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: Maddox (4th 7:30).

WHEELERSBURG (5-3): Eddie Miller 4-6 0-2 6-10 14, Tyler Claxon 0-1 0-1 2-2 2, Aaron Cowgill 3-5 0-1 0-0 6, Clay Massie 1-5 0-4 2-2 4, Ross Pyles 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Dylan Miller 2-5 1-2 4-6 11, Derek Moore 3-8 1-3 4-5 13. Totals: 15-43 18-25 50. 3-point goals: 2-13. Rebounds: 24 (E. Miller 7, D. Miller 6, Moore 6). Assists: 7 (Cowgill 3). Steals: 1. Turnovers: 12. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Moore.