Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

There are three good reasons Fairland reached the state tournament.
The Fairland Dragons junior trio of Isaiah Howell, Luke Thomas and Gunner Short were all named to the Associated Press Division III All-Ohio team.
The 6-foot-2 Howell led the way by being named to the All-Ohio first team as he led the Dragons to a 25-1 record an a berth in the state semifinals at 10:45 a.m. on Friday against Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph.
Howell was the Southeast District Co-Player of the Year. He averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals a game. He shot 50.8 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range and 75 percent from the foul line.
Named to the Special Mention list was the 6-foot Thomas who was a first team all-district pick along with Howell.
Thomas averaged 15.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals while shooting 47 percent from the field, 43 percent from 3-point range and 79 percent from the foul line.
The 6-3 Short was second team all-district and named to the Honorable Mention list. He scored at a 15.8 clip per game. He grabbed 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and had 1.6 steals. He shot 42 percent from the field, 34 percent from behind the arc and 77 percent at the line.
Three other area players — Ironton’s Ethan Wilson, South Point’s Tayshaun Fox and Rock Hill’s Mason Darby — were named to the All-Ohio Honorable Mention list and all are sophomores.
The Fighting Tigers’ 6-2 point guard Wilson was honored as he averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals a game. He shot 45 percent from the field, 32 percent from behind the arc and 67 percent from the foul line.
The 5-10 Fox averaged 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.7 steals a contest. He was instrumental in the team beating Wheelersburg to win the sectional tournament and reaching the district finals.
The 6-5 Darby appeared to be a one-man show as he led the Rock Hill in scoring and rebounding with a double-double, averaging 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds a game. Still a team player, Darby averaged 3.3 assists.
A list of the AP Division III All-Team is in Page 10.