PROCTORVILLE – The Fairland Lady Dragons regular season came to an end with an exclamation point.

Tuesday, February 15, 2000

PROCTORVILLE – The Fairland Lady Dragons regular season came to an end with an exclamation point.

Early this season, Fairland lost by 33 points to the Gallipolis Blue Angels. But Monday night the Lady Dragons gained a measure of revenge with a 68-56 win.

And not only did Fairland win the game, but it capped its most successful regular season at 17-3, won the Ohio Valley Conference championship, and posted a perfect 10-0 home record.

"We exceeded my expectations. I knew we could have a winning season, but I never expected this," Fairland coach Jack Harris said.

"This has been an outstanding season. We’re tickled to death. We have some talent, but these girls know the game, they want to learn, and they want to get better and they have gotten better."

Ashley Harris had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Dragons. Jeana Diamond scored 20 points, Brooke Fisher had 12 points and nine assists, and Jessica Higgins scored 12 and handed out five assists. Holly Harris had four assists.

"Our guards got the ball to our people inside, and when they were swarmed they kicked it back out," said coach Harris.

Kara Dunkel had 19 points, Brianna Johnson 16, and Toni Caldwell 10 for Gallipolis.

Johnson scored 10 points the first quarter to put Gallipolis up 19-18. Ashley Harris scored eight to keep Fairland close.

Higgins scored eight the second quarter as Fairland surged to a 33-25 halftime lead.

Diamond got nine points and Ashley Harris six the third quarter, but Dunkel scored seven and Johnson six as Gallipolis got within 50-44.

But Diamond had five points and Fisher hit two field goals and 4 of 6 from the foul line for eight points as Fairland outscored Gallipolis 18-12 the fourth quarter.

Dunkel had eight points in the quarter, but Johnson was held scoreless.

"The girls played great tonight. We beat a good basketball team tonight," said coach Harris.

Fairland plays at 1 p.m. Saturday against Minford in the Div. III sectional finals at Rock Hill.

GALLIPOLIS – 19 6 19 12 – 56: Brianna Johnson 7 0 2-2 16, Toni Caldwell 3 0 4-4 10, Lindsey Mullins 3 0 0-0 6, Kara Dunkel 5 2 3-5 19, Meredith Addington 2 0 1-1 5, Sarah Russell 0 0 0-1 0. Totals 20 2 10-13 56. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: Dunkel.

FAIRLAND – 18 15 17 18 – 68: Holly Harris 0 2 0-0 6, Jessica Higgins 6 0 0-0 12, Ashley Harris 9 0 0-0 18, Brooke Fisher 4 0 4-6 12, Jeana Diamond 7 1 3-4 20. Totals: 26 3 7-10 68. Fouls: . Rebounds: 30 (A. Harris 10). Assists: 23 (Fisher 9, Higgins 5, H. Harris 4). Steals: 5 (Payne 2, Fisher 3). Turnovers: 14.