Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — There was a huge void in the middle of the Fairland Dragons’ lineup on Tuesday.
Missing was 6-foot-7 junior center Kollin Van Horn who suffered a facial injury in practice on Monday and will have surgery on Wednesday. He will be out at least four weeks.
The Dragons struggled at times to adjust to Van Horn’s absence but still managed to overcome his loss as they beat the Portsmouth Trojans 67-48 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
“It was quite a jolt to our style of play. Everyone’s roles will change somewhat to make up for Kollin’s loss,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.
“But I thought we did a pretty good job. I thought a lot of guys stepped up and played really well.”
Isaiah Howell stepped up with 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four steals and one blocked shot to lead the Dragons (9-1, 4-0).
Gunner Short scored 15 points and Luke Thomas had 10 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Ty Staten got six points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Portsmouth was led by Daniel Jordan, Mike Malone and Kendall Reynolds with 12 points each.
Howell scored eight points and Thomas six as Fairland took a 16-11 first quarter lead. The Dragons stretched it to 31-22 at the half.
Short got six points in the first quarter as each team scored 18 points and it was 49-40.
Fairland held Portsmouth to eight points in the fourth quarter and began to pull away to the win.
The Dragons dominated the boards 48-29 and were 27-of-73 from the field including 6-of-23 from the 3-point line.
Portsmouth was 21-of-59 from the floor and just 2-of-20 from the 3-point goal.
In league games on Friday, Fairland goes to Gallipolis and Portsmouth hosts Rock Hill.
Portsmouth    11    11    18    8    =    48
Fairland    16    15    18    18    =    67
PORTSMOUTH (6-2, 1-2): D.J. Eley 0 0 2-2 2, Jahmie Kng 0 0 0-0 0, Daniel Jordan 6 0 0-0 12, Dakota Reynolds 1 0 1-2 3, Mike Malone 3 2 0-0 12, Kendall Reynolds 6 0 0-1 12, Reese Johnson 1 0 0-0 2, Ty Oliver 0 0 0-0 0, Gabe Gambill 2 0 1-2 5. Totals: 21-59 4-7 48. 3-point goals: 2-20. Rebounds: 29 (K. Reynolds 7, D. Reynolds 6). Assists: 2. Turnovers: 7. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.
FAIRLAND (9-1, 4-0): Ty Staten 3 0 0-0 6, Luke Thomas 5 0 0-0 10, Isaiah Howell 4 3 3-3 20, Joel Lambiotte 0 0 0-0 0, Matt Mondlak 1 0 0-0 2, Keedrick Cunningham 2 0 4-4 8, Dairus Stapleton 3 0 0-2 6, Gunner Short 3 3 0-0 15. Totals: 27-73 7-9 67. 3-point goals: 6-23. Rebounds: 48 (Howell 15, Thomas 11, Staten 6). Assists: 13 (Staten 4, Howell 4). Steals: 8 (Staten 4, Howell 4). Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.