Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — The shooting chart said you lose.
Fortunately, the Fairland Lady Dragons’ defense wasn’t listening to the shooting chart.
Despite shooting 11-of-44 for just 25 percent, the Lady Dragons’ defense came to the rescue as Fairland rallied late to beat the Chesapeake Lady Panthers 42-37 on Thursday and gain a share of the Ohio Valley Conference league title.
“We held them to 37 points and you have to be happy with the defensive end. But give Chesapeake credit. Chesapeake did their thing and made it their kind of game. But to shoot 25 percent and win you have to feel happy,” said Fairland coach Jon Buchanan.
“We knew we’ve got to win this basketball game or we’re going to lose this league. At the end of the game we made the plays to win the game. It was a good sign for us to win this game and find a way to grind it out.”
Allie Marshall came up big on offense as she scored a career-high 17 points including four 3-pointers.
Her output was needed as leading scorer Emily Chapman was held to just four points — all free throws.
Kelsie Warnock added nine points as Fairland (19-2, 13-1) earned a share of the league title along with co-leader Ironton who beat Coal Grove 49-38.
Natalee Hall scored 10 points and Brooke Webb had nine for the Lady Panthers (14-8, 8-6). Hall and Jozy Jones had 10 rebounds each as the Lady Panthers held a 35-25 rebound advantage.
Jones scored four points in the first quarter as Chesapeake took a 9-5 lead.
Marshall scored eight points and Warnock five in the second quarter as Fairland rallied to take a 20-18 halftime lead.
Haley Stapleton had all five or her points in the quarter for Chesapeake.
The Lady Panthers went on an 8-0 run in the second half and led 26-20 near the three minutes mark. But Marshall hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game. Hall scored four points and the game was tied at 28.
In the fourth quarter, Dominique Murphy converted a three-point play as the Lady Panthers tied the game at 35, but Alesha Simpson hit a foul shot, Warnock made a pair for a 38-35 lead and two Chesapeake turnovers led to two foul shots by Chapman to seal the win.
“We didn’t do a good job scoring the ball. Give Chesapeake credit. They have some length and we didn’t rebound the ball,” said Buchanan.
Fairland was 8-of-16 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.
In the sectional tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, at Rock Hill, Chesapeake faces Ironton at 6:15 and Fairland plays the Portsmouth West-Portsmouth winner at 4:30.
Chesapeake    9    9    10    9    =    37
Fairland    5    15    8    14    =    42
CHESAPEAKE (14-8, 8-6): Karli Davis 1 0 0-0 2, Haley Stapleton 1 0 2-2 4, Brooke Webb 3 0 3-4 9, Jozy Jones 3 0 1-4 7, Natalee Hall 5 0 0-0 10, Shia Ervin 1 0 0-0 2, Dominique Murphy 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 15 0 7-12 37. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.
FAIRLAND (19-2, 13-1): Allie Marshall 1 4 3-3 17, Taylar Wilson 1 0 1-6 3, Emily Chapman 0 0 4-4 4, Morgan Fridley 1 0 0-2 2, Kelsie Warnock 1 1 4-4 9, Issy McKinney 0 0 0-0 0, Alesha Simpson 1 0 3-6 5, Jackie Wagner 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 6 5 15-25 42. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.