By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

BALTIMORE — Now, that’s defense.

The Fairland Lady Dragons faced the Liberty Union Lady Lions in the finals of the Liberty Union Yule Classic on Wednesday. The Lady Lions came into the game averaging 61 points a game.

The Lady Dragons turned up their defense and held Liberty Union to just 6 of 31 shooting from the field and posted a 41-27 win to remain unbeaten.

“We held them to 27 points and they are a pretty high-powered offense,” said Fairland coach Jon Buchanan. “They had trouble getting an open look against our zone. They had possession that last 40 seconds or more.”

Fairland (8-0) was led by Terra Stapleton who had 10 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. She was named to the all-tournament team.

Katie Fuller added 8 points and 3 assists, Chandler Fulks had 6 points and 3 assists and Kayla Swiger 7 points and 3 steals.

Taylor Dickson had 10 points for Liberty Union (9-2).

“Jaimie Phillips played really well. She doesn’t show up in the boxscore, but the things she brings to the team you can’t calculate,” said Buchanan.

“All the kids stepped up. I thought Fuller and Fulks did a nice job.”

Fulks hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter as Fairland outscored the Lady Lions 17-6 to build a 27-12 halftime cushion.

The defense limited the Lady Lions to just five field goal attempts in the third quarter as Fairland outscored Liberty Union 6-2 and led 33-14.

The lead was never closer in the second half than the final score.

The Lady Dragons travel to Meigs on Monday.

Fairland 10 17 6 8 = 41

Liberty Union 6 6 2 13 = 27

FAIRLAND (8-0): Terra Stapleton 5-8 0-0 0-0 10, Katie Fuller 3-4 0-1 2-2 8, Kayla Swiger 2-9 0-1 3-4 7, Jaimie Phillips 2-3 0-0 0-0 4, Chandler Fulks 0-4 2-3 0-1 6, Taylor Staten 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Lauren Poe 1-1 0-0 0-0 2, Kelsey Riley 0-5 0-0 2-2 2, Mackenzie Riley 1-1 0-0 0-1 2, Haley Woodall 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Jenna Fulks 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Pieper Lewis 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Kerie Napier 0-0 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-40 7-10 41. 3-point goals: 2-5. Rebounds: 33 (Stapleton 15). Assists: 9 (Fuller 3, C. Fulks 2). Steals: 8 (Swiger 3). Blocked shots: 4 (Stapleton 3). Turnovers: 12. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None.

LIBERTY UNION (9-2): Taylor Dickson 1-5 1-6 5-6 10, Madi Foltz 0-2 1-3 1-3 4, Brooke Kirkbride 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Morgan Kirkbride 0-4 1-5 1-3 4, Taylor Moore 2-2 0-0 3-6 7, Emily Shook 0-3 0-1 2-2 2. Totals: 6-31 12-20 27. 3-point goals: 3-15. Rebounds: 20 (Dickson 6). Assists: 5 (M. Kirkbride 2, Dickson 2). Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.