JACKSON — Even the Fairland Dragons have had to cut back.

Instead of using the entire basketball court, they cut the court in half and used their halfcourt defense as a stimulus as they beat the Wheelersburg Pirates 44-39 Saturday to win the Division III sectional tournament.

WIth two key backup players unable to go due to illness and others recovering from the flu this week, the Dragons employed a halfcourt game.

“It had to be a halfcourt because we weren’t healthy enough to extend the court,” said McClung. “We had to us our halfcourt defense as our transition game. We had some big steals that we were able to convert into baskets.”

The biggest steals came in the fourth quarter when Wheelersburg had rallied to take the lead.

The Pirates went on a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter for their first lead since 7-5 in the first quarter. Brandon Schankweiler hit a 3-pointer with 5:40 left to make it 35-34.

But Cris Ward hit back-to-back baseline jumpers, Zach Jordan stole the ball, was fouled and hit two free throws, and Chad Fisher had a steal that he turned into a layup with 1:50 left to put the Dragons ahead 42-35.

Wheelersburg missed two 3-point attempts and had a pair of turnovers while Jordan and Fisher converted 5-of-6 from the line to help seal the win.

“We told them to give (Wheelersburg) the 3, but it’s hard for kids to fight against going out and closing when you’ve taught them to do that all year,” said McClung.

“Fisher’s runner in the lane sealed the game,” said McClung. “The last two games he’s given us great energy off the bench.”

With the game tied 7-7 with 3:12 left in the first quarter, Fairland went on an 11-0 run to lead 20-7 with 5:45 on the second quarter clock. The lead was 23-9 with 5:16 left in the half after a trey by Cole Hatfield.

Wheelersburg was able to get within 25-17 at the half , and they went to center Andy Stegman in the third quarter as their offense. Stegman scored seven of his game-high 21 points in the quarter and Shane Ward’s layup got the Pirates within 33-30 heading into the fourth quarter.

Jordan led the Dragons with 15 points and Hatfield scored 11.

But the Dragons (16-6) came up with the clutch plays down the stretch to get the sectional title.

Fairland advances to the district semifinals next Sunday at Ohio University against unbeaten North Adams who beat Portsmouth 77-75 on a basket at the buzzer in overtime by Kraig Unger.

Wheelersburg 7 10 13 9 = 39

Fairland 12 13 8 11 = 44

WHEELERSBURG (16-6): Brandon Schankweiler 2 1 0—0 7, Cole Miller 0 1 0-0 3, Nick Kemper 2 0 2-2 6, Shane Ward 1 0 0-0 2, Andy Stegman 8 0 5-7 21, Tyler Craigmiles 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Lang 0 0 0-0 0, Zaide Whitley 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-42 7-9 39. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-15. Rebounds: 9 offense, 19 defense = 28 (Stegman 10, Kemper 8). Team/deadball rebounds: 2. Assists: 9 (Kemper 6). Steals: 4 (Stegman 2). Turnovers: 13.

FAIRLAND (16-6): Zach Jordan 2 2 5-6 15, Matt Bloomfield 1 0 0-0 2, Cole Hatfield 3 1 2-2 11, Tyler Godby 2 0 0-1 4, Adam Berry 1 0 0-0 2, Cris Ward 2 0 0-0 4, Chad Fisher 2 0 2-2 6, Evan Salyers 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-39 9-11 44. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 3-14. Rebounds: 4 offense, 18 defense = 22 (Jordan, Hatfield, Godby, Fisher 4 each). Team/deadball rebounds: 2. Assists: 4 (Hatfield 2). Steals: 10 (Fisher 3, Jordan 3, Bloomfield 2). Turnovers; 9.