By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PROCTORVILLE — Terra Stapleton has a strong presence inside, and that helped a strong finish for the Fairland Lady Dragons.

The 6-foot-4 sophomore center scored 11 points in the fourth quarter as Fairland broke open a close game and pulled away to a 56-40 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Chesapeake Lady Panthers on Thursday.

“It was a really close game for three quarters. In the fourth quarter we got away from them,” said Fairland coach Jon Buchanan. “(Chesapeake) played good defense for three quarters. We got Stapleton in foul trouble but we weathered the storm.”

Stapleton finished with 24 points while Lauren Poe came off the bench to score 12 and Chandler Fulks added 10 for the Lady Dragons (2-0, 1-0).

“Poe was excellent tonight. She made some big shots. That’s what seniors are supposed to do,” said Buchanan.

Amanda Ruffner had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Chesapeake (2-2, 0-1). Jordan Porter added 11 points and 6 rebounds.

Stapleton had 9 points in the first quarter as Fairland took an 11-9 lead. Ruffner had 7 points in the second quarter to keep Chesapeake close at 22-20.

Ruffner had 6 more points in the third quarter and the spread remained at two points, 33-31.

But then came the fourth quarter and Stapleton proved too strong inside.

“It came down to them taking advantage of their opportunities,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball. “We got in foul trouble in the fourth quarter and they took advantage. We didn’t take advantage of their foul trouble and create some space between them.

“The key to them was Poe. When they needed a basket she found a way to get open.”

Chesapeake plays Fairview, Ky., at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Coal Grove in the River Battle that features five girls’ games. Fairland hosts Gallipolis on Monday.

Chesapeake 9 11 11 9 = 40

Fairland 11 11 11 23 = 56

CHESAPEAKE (2-2, 0-1): Amanda Ruffner 8-15 0-1 3-7 19, Jackie Nelson 4-7 0-0 0-0 8, Sarah Rice 0-4 0-0 0-0 0, Sidney Hall 0-3 0-0 1-3 1, Maggie Smith 0-3 0-0 1-2 1, Mackenzie Moore 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Jordan Porter 3-5 0-0 5-12 11. Totals: 15-38 10-24 40. 3-point goals: 0-1. Rebounds: 25 (Ruffner 10, Porter 6). Assists: 5 (Rice 2, Nelson 2). Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Porter.

FAIRLAND (2-0, 1-0): Terra Stapleton 10-13 0-0 4-5 24, Katie Fuller 0-3 0-1 4-6 4, Kayla Swiger 0-3 0-3 1-2 1, Jaimie Phillips 0-0 0-0 2-4 2, Chandler Fulks 5-7 0-2 0-0 10, Lauren Poe 2-6 2-2 2-2 12, Kelsey Riley 0-4 0-0 1-2 1, Haley Woodall 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Keri Napier 1-5 0-0 0-0 2. Totals: 20-49 14-21 56. 3-point goals: 2-8. Rebounds: 39 (Fuller 11, Riley 10). Assists: 13 (Fuller 6). Blocked shots: 3 (Stapleton 3). Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None.