Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Fairland Dragons seems to be conducting a rotisserie roster.

Each game the Dragons play, a different player steps up and gives them the boost they need. This time it was Luke Phillips.

Phillips scored a season-high 12 points as Fairland held on to beat the Spring Valley Timberwolves 54-52 Saturday to win the St. Joe Invitational Gold Bracket title.

“Our players are all capable of coming up with a big game on a given night,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed. “This game is just a microcosm of our season. It’s been a team effort all year. Luke did a great job.”

Fairland’s hopes of winning the tournament appeared bleak early. The Dragons fell behind 18-9 after the first quarter and trailed 25-9 early in the second quarter.

But the Dragons put together a 13-1 run to end the half and trailed 26-22.

The Dragons’ momentum continued in the third quarter as they outscored the T-Wolves 18-5 to grab a 40-31 lead.

“Give Spring Valley credit. They came out more aggressive and we were back on our heels,” said Speed. “We called a timeout or two and got their attention and got going.”

Fairland had a chance to put the game away in the fourth quarter but struggled at the foul line. The Dragons made just 11 of 25 free throws for the game.

Evan Maddox scored 16 points to lead the Dragons (13-5).

Jacob Kilgore scored 17 points, Joshua Steele had 12 points and Greg Herbert had 10 points for Spring Valley (4-10).

Fairland plays at Chesapeake on Friday to in a battle for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Dragons hold a one-game lead over Chesapeake.

Spring Valley 18 8 5 21 = 52

Fairland 9 13 18 14 = 54

SPRING VALLEY (4-10): Tyler Roberton 6, Joshua Steele 12, James Kayser 6, Greg Herbert 10, Jacob Kilgore 17, Tucker Meade 1.

FAIRLAND (13-4): Thayer Flynn 2, Cody Midkiff 5, Chance Short 5, Luke Phillips 12, Kyle Raines 8, Evan Maddox 16, Nathan Campbell 4.

Chesapeake 61, Mt. Mission 43

In the consolation game, the Chesapeake Panthers routed the Mount Mission Challengers 61-43.

Javon Thompson poured in 28 points to lead the Panthers (11-5). Caleb Lindsey added 10 points.

The Panthers jumped out to a 13-3 first quarter lead and it was 27-16 at the half. They extended the lead to 43-23 after three quarters and coasted to the win.

Chesapeake 13 14 16 18 = 61

Mt. Mission 3 13 7 20 = 43

CHESAPEAKE (11-5): Javon Thompson 28, Caleb Lindsey 10, Caleb Heffner 8, Nick Duffield 7, Chad Meadows 2, Shane Stephens 2, Andrew Saunders 2, Aaron Thompson 2.

MOUNT MISSION (6-8): Dawit Hailu-Mitiku 16, Robel Ali 10, Scott Graham 5, Leul Hirpa 2, John Samuel 1, Henok Aleymayehu 9.