Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WHEELERSBURG — The Fairland Dragons might get docked for only a half day’s work.

The Dragons built a big first half lead, then held on to beat the Wheelersburg Pirates 50-46 on Tuesday.

“We played well in the first half, but I thought we relaxed in the second half. We didn’t have the same intensity and we played more not to lose than to win,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.

“But give Wheelersburg credit. They came out and played hard in the second half which is what we thought they would do.”

Chance Short scored 20 points — 12 in the second half — to go with five rebounds and three assists to pace Fairland (13-7). Kollin Van Horn had 14 points and six rebounds while Nathan Campbell pulled down 10 rebounds.

Jacob Spradlin scored 20 points including four 3-pointers to lead the Pirates (7-13). Brandan Adams added 10 points.

Van Horn scored 8 points and Short 6 as Fairland took a 19-5 lead in the first quarter.

The lead grew to 28 11 at the half.

Wheelersburg cut the deficit to 39-27 at the end of the third quarter.

Spradlin hit three triples and scored 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Pirates rallied, but Short have 5 points to help seal the win.

Fairland will host Chesapeake in an OVC game next Tuesday.

Fairland 19 9 11 11 = 50

Wheelersburg 5 6 16 19 = 46

FAIRLAND (13-7): Chance Short 2 3 7-11 20, Gunner Short 0 1 0-0 3, Isaiah Howell 1 0 0-0 2, Nathan Campbell 2 0 0-0 4, Luke Thomas 0 1 0-0 3, Hayden James 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Campbell 2 0 0-0 4, Kollin Van Horn 70 0-2 14. Totals: 19-47 7-13 50. 3-point goals: 5-18. Rebounds: 33 (N. Campbell 10, Van Horn 6, C. Short 5). Assists: 10 (C. Shorts 3). Steals: 1. Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

WHEELERSBURG (7-13): Brandan Adams 1 1 5-8 10, Kyle Davis 3 0 1-1 7, Austin May 0 0 0-0 0, Kaden Coleman 3 0 1-3 7, Jacob Spradlin 3 4 2-6 20, Chase Porter 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Roe 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Lotspeich 1 0 0-2 2. Totals: 16-53 9-20 46. 3-point goals: 5-15. Rebounds: 29 (Spradlin 8, Coleman 5). Assists: 2. Steals: 2. Turnovers: 4. Fols: 12. Fouled out: None.