By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PROCTORVILLE — Having six seniors on the roster is a distinct advantage. Just ask the Fairland Dragons.

The Dragons used their senior leadership to key a 72-54 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Coal Grove Hornets on Friday and take over sole possession of second place.

“All our seniors stepped up and came to play. They showed great leadership,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.

“Ryan Wooten had a big game for us. He really showed some leadership and made sure we stayed focused and played with intensity.”

Wooten had 13 points and 10 rebounds as Fairland improved to 9-2 and 4-1 in the OVC.

Evan Salyers had 16 points and 8 rebounds, Evan Maddox scored 14 points while Blaine Fuller and Cody Midkiff added 11 each as five players reached double figures for the Dragons.

Jordan Beals scored 13 points and Alex Bare 12 to lead the Hornets who slipped to 9-3 and 3-2.

Bare was injured in the third quarter and did not return.

Fairland led just 15-12 after the first quarter but exploded for 27 points in the second quarter to open up a 42-27 halftime lead.

The Dragons continued to pull away in the third quarter as they built a 67-38 cushion.

Coal Grove 12 15 11 16 = 54

Fairland 15 27 25 5 = 72

COAL GROVE (9-3, 3-2): Trevor Barrett 0-1 0-0 0-1 0, Jordan Beals 4-7 1-1 2-4 13, Alex Bare 4-11 0-1 4-4 12, Jacob Pauley 1-2 1-5 0-0 5, Colton Bryant 1-3 0-0 0-0 2, T.J. Barrett 0-0 0-0 2-2 2, Conor Markins 2-2 0-2 4-6 8, Bryan Steele 1-3 1-1 1-2 6, Kyle Estep 2-3 0-0 1-2 5, Brandon Doyle 0-0 0-0 1-2 1. Totals: 18-42 15-23 54. 3-point goals: 3-10. Rebounds: 23 (Pauley 4, Markins 4). Assists: 7. Steals: 3 (Beals 3). Turnovers: 23. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

FAIRLAND (9-2, 4-1): Cody Midkiff 2-2 2-3 1-2 11, Eric Riley 1-2 0-0 0-0 2, Kyle Raines 0-2 1-2 0-0 3, Evan Maddox 3-10 2-2 2-3 14, Blaine Fuller 4-8 0-0 3-6 11, Josh Goodman 0-2 0-0 0-0 0, Nathan Campbell 1-2 0-1 0-1 2, Evan Salyers 8-11 0-0 0-2 16, Ryan Wooten 6-9 0-0 1-2 13. Totals: 30-56 7-16 72. 3-point goals: 5-8. Rebounds: 38 (Wooten 10, Salyers 8, Fuller 6). Assists: 14 (Campbell 5). Steals: 12 (Fuller 4). Turnovers: 19. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: None.