Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Fairland Dragons needed to focus on two things: turnovers and free throws.

The Dragons were guilty of some costly second half turnovers and Huntington St. Joseph converted 25-of-32 free throws to just 3-of-7 for the Dragons as the Fighting Irish rallied for a 66-59 win Tuesday.

Fairland led throughout the game until the fourth quarter. But the Dragons committed 16 of their 24 turnovers in the second half to go with some outstanding foul shooting by Keith Clemons that proved to be too much to overcome.

“The bottom line is we just didn’t take care of the ball,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.

“We turned the ball over way too many times, especially in the second half. And you have to give them credit for hitting their free throws. They have a good team and they just keep finding a way to win.”

Clemons scored 23 points including 17-of-17 at the foul line. Payne Meadows scored 19 points for the unbeaten Irish (11-0) who are ranked No. 1 in the West Virginia Class A poll.

Evan Maddox scored 22 points to lead Fairland. Chance Short scored 13 and Trent Wilcoxon pulled down 12 rebounds.

The loss was the sixth straight for the Dragons (5-7) who host Chesapeake Friday in a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference game.

Fairland led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and 29-25 at the half. The lead reached seven points midway through the third quarter and was 45-43 at the end of the third quarter.

Clemons’ 3-point play put St. Joseph up 56-50. Nathan Campbell had a putback to get Fairland with 59-56 with 1:39 left, but the Dragons could get no closer as the Irish continued to make free throws down the stretch.

Fairland 15 14 16 14 = 59

Hunt. St. Joe 12 13 18 23 = 66

FAIRLAND (5-7): Thayer Flynn 1 1 0-0 5, Chance Short 6 0 1-1 13, Jacob Warner 1 0 0-0 2, Luke Phillips 0 0 0-0 0, Nathan Campbell 4 0 0-0 8, Evan Maddox 6 3 1-3 22, Shane Stevens 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Campbell 2 0 0-0 4, Trent Wilcoxon 2 0 1-3 5. Totals: 26-58 3-7 59. 3-point goals: 4-10. Fouls: 25. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 32 (Wilcoxon 12). Team/deadball rebounds: 5. Turnovers: 24.

HUNT. ST. JOSEPH (11-0): Keith Clemons 3 0 17-17 23, Travis McNeil 2 0 0-0 4, Brian Conaty 7 1 2-2 19, Torin Walters 0 0 0-2 0, Anthony Rabel 0 0 1-3 1, Josiah Pierson 0 0 0-0 0, Payne Meadows 4 2 5-8 19. Totals: 19-46 25-32 66. 3-point goals: 2-6. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 22 (Rabel 6). Team/deadball rebounds: 11. Turnovers: 12.