Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — It was the Rudyard Kipling who once wrote, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…”

Evidently, Fairland coach Nathan Speed had his players attend the poetry reading of “If” after the Dragons showed poise in a key 81-75 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Portsmouth Trojans on Friday.

“I felt the best thing we did was when they made their run we kept our composure and kept attacking the rim. We didn’t let it phase us,” said Speed.

Fairland had three players score more than 20 points in the fast-paced game. Isaiah Howell scored 28 points while Kollin Van Horn and Luke Thomas had 21 points each as Fairland improved to 7-1 and remained in sole possession of first place in the OVC at 5-0.

Howell also had 14 rebounds and Van Horn grabbed 12 as the Dragons out-rebounded the Trojans 41-23.

Ky’re Allison scored 24 points, Ethan Leonard 18 and Kendall Reynolds 12 to lead the Trojans (4-5, 2-2).

“Going down there and getting a win. Any time go in a place like that and come out with a road win is pretty good,” said Speed. “We rebounded well and kept battling.”

The game started at a relatively moderate pace as Fairland took a 14-10 lead.

But things quickly heated up in the second quarter as Fairland outscored Portsmouth 27-22 to take a 41-32 lead at the half. Van Horn had 16 of his points in the first half.

The Trojans sliced the lead to 56-48 after three quarter and then the scoring got wild again as Portsmouth outscored Fairland 27-25 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to overtake the Dragons.

On Tuesday, Fairland hosts Gallipolis and Portsmouth visits Rock Hill in OVC games.

 

Fairland 14 27 15 25 = 81

Portsmouth 10 22 16 27 = 75

FAIRLAND (7-1, 5-0): Isaiah Howell 10 2 2-4 28, Hunter Ashton 0 3 0-0 6, Kollin Van Horn 9 0 3-6 21, Luke Thomas 2 3 8-10 21, Gunner Shorts 1 1 0-0 5, Ty Staten 0 0 0-0 0, Kedrick Cunningham 0 0 0-0 9. Totals: 31-55 13-20 81. 3-point goals: 9-20. Rebounds: 41 (Howell 14, Van Horn 12). Assists: 22 (Staten 10). Steals: 2. Turnovers: 7. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.

PORTSMOUTH (4-5, 2-2): Ethan Leonard 2 4 2-2 18, Ky’re Allison 5 1 11-16 24, Trent Rodbell 0 2 0-0 6, A.J. Eley 1 2 0-0 8, Mike Malone 0 0 2-2 2, Kendall Reynolds 3 1 3-4 12, Reese Johnson 1 1 0-0 5. Totals: 33-56 18-26 75. 3-point goals: 11-27. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Allison, Reynolds.