Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WESTWOOD, Ky. — Closer…closer…a little more…still not close enough.

That was how St. Joseph Flyers’ coach Kevin Sheridan must have felt Friday after a 69-51 loss to the Fairview Eagles.

While Sheridan wanted a tighter defense, his players just didn’t react as well as he instructed, especially in the second quarter when the Eagles’ lead went from 5 to 17 points.

“We didn’t do a good job closing out shooters in the second quarter and that allowed them to get too many uncontested shots,” said Sheridan.

Payton Adkins had 5 points with a 3-pointer in the first quarter for the Flyers who found themselves down 16-11.

The Eagles had six different players score and they made three 3-point goals in the second quarter to take a 37-20 lead at the half.

Clay Wills hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points in the second quarter for the Flyers who managed just 9 points.

The Flyers’ first half efforts were also hurt when Chase Walters and Tyler Ward got in early foul trouble.

Walters had 6 points in the third quarter as the Flyers chipped away at the lead and it was 47-35.

Walters scored 7 more points in the fourth quarter, but Dylan Romine scored 13 of his 24 points for the Eagles.

“We battled back in the third quarter but we didn’t close out the quarter the way we’re capable of. If we do, it’s a single-digit lead going into the fourth quarter. We didn’t get enough stops at crucial ties to be able to sustain a run,” said Sheridan.

Walters finished with 15 points for the Flyers (1-4). Trey Neal, Willis and Adkins all added 8 points each.

St. Joseph 11 9 15 16 = 51

Fairview 16 21 10 22 = 69

ST. JOSEPH (1-4): Judge Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Isaac Whaley 0 0 2-2 2, Clay Willis 1 2 0-0 8, Zac McGraw 1 0 2-5 4, Payton Adkins 1 2 0-0 8, Trey Neal 3 0 2-2 8, Joey Bush 0 0 0-0 0, Daniel Hodges 0 0 -0 0, Tyler Ward 2 0 2-2 6, Chase Walters 7 0 1-4 15, Isaac Walker 0 0 0-2 0. Totals: 19-42 9-17 51. 3-point goals: 4-13. Rebounds: 1-O, 17-D = 18. Assists: 4. Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: None.

FAIRVIEW (5-3): Kacee Bevins 2 0 1-2 5, Aaron Wetzel 0 1 0-0 3, Mason McIntyre 1 1 0-0 5, Turner King 0 0 -0 0, Isaac Campbell 0 0 0-0 0, Cameron Conley 0 0 0-0 0, Josh Neal 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Donothan 1 1 0-0 5, Antwan Washington 1 1 2-5 7, Nick Lambert 0 0 0-0 0, Ethan Smithers 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Romine 8 0 8-13 24, Hunter Adams 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 22 4 13-24 69. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.