By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

FRANKLIN FURANCE — The Fairland Dragons came up with a basketball version of the spread offense.

Fairland hit six 3-point goals in the first quarter to jump out to a lead as they went on to beat the Green Bobcats 71-58 Friday in the season opener for both teams and give Dragons’ coach Nathan Speed his first boys’ varsity career win.

“We hit some 3s and that allowed us to penetrate because they had to come out and guard us,” said Speed.

Jonathan Holbrook scored 10 of his 14 points in the first quarter including a pair of 3-pointers. Jon Baise had 9 of his 11 points in the quarter as well and he also buried a couple of trifectas.

“We shot well and played well defensively at times,” said Speed. “Once we made some adjustments defensively, we played well.”

Fairland was 24 of 46 from the field for 52 percent despite playing without starting center Evan Salyers who is out for two weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Green used strong rebounding and foul shooting to keep within striking range. The Bobcats held a 35-34 rebound advantage with T.J. McCloud pulling down 18 including five on offense.

“I was happy with our effort. We played a good team and we played with emotion and we played well as a team,” said Green coach Bobby Blanton.

“We rebounded the ball great and I was happy with our defense. Fairland just shot at a high percentage. You have to give them credit. They’re a good team.”

With Holbrook and Baise combining for 19 points, Fairland went up 31-23 in the first quarter.

Patrick Pierce had 7 points and Cody Bruce 5 to keep the Bobcats close.

Alec Warner came off the bench to score 7 points in the second quarter as Fairland pulled away to a 46-31 halftime lead.

Green came back to outscore the Dragons in the third quarter and cut the deficit to 63-51, but the Dragons were able to run time off the clock in the fourth quarter and clinch their first win.

Chad Fisher had a strong all-around game for Fairland with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals.

Bruce had 16 points and McCloud 15 to pace Green.

Fairland 31 15 17 8 = 71

Green 23 8 20 7 = 58

FAIRLAND (1-0): Jonathan Holbrook 4 2 0-1 14, Jon Baise 2 2 1-2 11, Chad Fisher 4 1 0-0 11, Alec Warner 3 0 3-4 9, Eric Riley 3 0 0-0 6, Blaine Fuller 2 1 1-1 8, Matt Campbell 4 0 0-0 8, Ryan Wooten 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 25-46 6-15 71. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Holbrook. Rebounds: 34 (Fisher 10, Campbell 6. Assists: 17 (Fisher 10, Baise 5). Steals: 10 (Fisher 5).

GREEN (0-1): Steve Blanton 1 0 1-4 3, Tyler Hughes 2 1 0-0 7, Patrick Pierce 3 0 4-5 10, Cody Bruce 3 0 10-13 16, Tyler Crace 1 0 2-2 4, T.J. McCloud 6 0 3-6 15, Chad Lewis 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 18-48 23-32 58. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 1-6. Rebounds: 35 (McCloud 18). Turnovers: 22.