Lions upset New Boston

0

ATHENS – The Fairfield Lions(15-9) came into Division IV SE District Semifinals at the Ohio University Convocation Center ready to win, as the No. 7 seed going up against the No. 2 seeded Glenwood New Boston Tigers(22-2) went on to earn a whopping 71-55 victory.

Fairfield played at a fast pace for majority of the showcase to take the lead early and on defense the Lions made sure to make they’re presents known as the Tigers were inconsistent from the Fairfield pressure.

New Boston had one lost in regular season action and that was to the Fairfield Lions rival in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, the Peebles Indians.

The Lions had four players score in double digits for the night and three seniors Wyatt Willey with 11 points, Bryson Simmons and James Bentley both scored 17 points and junior Conner Priest ended the night with 14 points.

“I’m proud of our three seniors for there efforts tonight on both ends of the floor.”

“I thought we played solid team defense and moved the ball well on offense. Our team prepared very hard for New Boston over the past week and it showed.” stated Coach Josh Howland

Fairfield seniors Bentley and Simmons scored the first two buckets of the game thought New Boston followed up with a two pointer and two free throws, it was easy to tell that the Lions were not intimidated of the team that had only one lost for the season as the Lions began shooting at will, Tytis Cannon and Priest both made a big three in the first quarter and Bentley made eight points for that quarter to help with the 25-19 lead.

During the second quarter the Lions made four crucial turnovers in a row that put the Fairfield team in a minor slump that led to Tigers’ Kyle Sexton scoring eight points and Grady Jackson had two points during the three minute period where Fairfield struggled but Wyatt Willey scored the final two points at the buzzer going into halftime to continue the Lions lead with the score being 36-29.

New Boston held up scoring 15-15 with Fairfield in the quarter after halftime, it was neck and neck though the Lions continued to lead the game, Cannon and Simmons scored their second three point attempts of the game in the final minutes to hold the lead, 51-44.

The Fairfield Lions sealed the deal in the fourth quarter by outscoring Glenwood 20-11, Wyatt Willey earned two point attempt in the first minute of play then the majority of his points were off of free throws in the final minute of play and Bryson Simmons added to the winning efforts with six points in the final quarter of play to finalize the game.

“I would like to also thank our fans and we had an awesome student section tonight.” said Coach Howland

Fairfield went 14-19 from the free throw line and New Boston was 4-6 shooting at the charity stripe for the night.

The Fairfield Lions will be taking on Tremble at the Ohio University Convocation Center in Athens on Saturday, March. 7 at 9:00 P.M.

GAME SUMMARY

LIONS 25 11 15 20 71

TIGERS 19 10 15 11 55

FAIRFIELD (FG-3FG-FT-TP) TEETERS 2-0-0-4 CANNON 1-2-0-8 WILLEY 2-0-7-11 SIMMONS 3-3-2-17 PRIEST 5-0-4-14 BENTLEY 8-0-1-17 TOTAL POINTS 21-5-14-71

NEW BOSTON (FG-3FG-FT-TP) JACKSON 3-0-0-6 SEXTON 10-0-2-22 SAUNDERS 2-1-0-7 MCKINLEY 2-0-0-4 CLARK 3-0-0-6 VOLERS 1-2-2-10 TOTAL POINTS 21-3-4-55

Reach Tate Erkenbrecher at 937-402-2572.

Fairfield Lions’ senior Wyatt Willey going up for a layup attempt during District semifinals against Glenwood New Boston.
https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/03/web1_DSC_0900.jpgFairfield Lions’ senior Wyatt Willey going up for a layup attempt during District semifinals against Glenwood New Boston. Tate Erkenbrecher | The Times-Gazette
Fairfield seniors Willey, Bentley, and Simmons lead the way in the 71-55 victory.

By Tate Erkenbrecher [email protected]

No posts to display