Lady Dragons pull away from Johnstown; Buchanan sets school wins record

COLUMBUS — The Fairland Lady Dragons wanted to make the game exciting for coach Jon Buchanan.

Well, at least for a half before they pulled away to help their coach relax and enjoy his record breaking career victory as the Lady Dragons beat the Johnstown-Monroe Lady Johnies 68-49 on Saturday in the Harvest Prep Basketball Showcase.

Buchanan now has a career record of 341-81, surpassing Nathan Speed who retired after last season with a career record of 340-111. The original record holder was Carl York at 321-138.

Bailey Russell made sure Buchanan got his record win as she hit 7 of 11 from 3-point range and scored 29 points.

Addison Godby had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Addyson Cornell got 11 points and 4 assists.

Fairland (15-3) came out fast and took a 21-9 first quarter lead as Cornell scored 7 points including a 3-pointer while Russell nailed a triple and went 4 of 4 at the foul line.

Bailey Neff hit three 3-pointers and Cox scored 7 points as Johnstown outscored Fairland 16-4 in the second quarter to tie the game at 25-all.

But the second half was a different story as Fairland came out of the locker room and outscored Johnstown 25-13 to take a 50-38 lead.

Russell drilled three shots from beyond the arc and Addison Godby scored 9 points.

Lauren Baughman scored 6 points and Payton Schneider hit a 3-pointer for the Johnnies.

Fairland continued to pull away in the fourth quarter as Russell continued to have the hot hand as she drained three more trifectas and scored 13 points.

Four different players scored for Johnstown in the fourth quarter.

Baughman scored 14 points while Cox and Neff had 13 each for the Johnnies (12-4).

Fairland 21 4 25 18 = 68

Johnstown 9 16 13 11 = 49

FAIRLAND (15-3): Teagan Leep 1-3 1-4 0-0 5, isaTaliaferro 1-1 0-3 0-0 2, Addyson Cornell 3-6 1-2 2-6 11, Addison Godby 4-7 1-2 3-6 14, Rylee Russell 1-1 0-2 1-1 3, Haley Lykins 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Stella Whitley 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Lola Donahue 1-2 0-2 0-0 2, Kiana Miller 1-3 0-1 0-0 2, Bailey Russell 2-5 7-11 4-4 29. Totals: 24-55 10-17 68. 3-pt goals: 10-27. Rebounds: 27 (Godby 6, B. Russell 6). Assists: 17 (Godby 4, Cornell 4, Taliaferro 3). Turnovers: 8. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

JOHNSTOWN (12-4): Caylin Cox 5 0 3-5 13, Riley Stefanick 0 0 0-0 0, Jaelynn Fauble 0 0 0-0 0, Bailey Neff 2 3 0-0 13, Cyiah Cox 0 0 0-0 0, Sadie Sahr 0 0 1-2 1, Lauren Baughman 4 0 6-6 14, Payton Schneider 1 2 0-0 8, Violet Wentzel 0 0 0-0 0, Amelia Bonito 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 5 10-13 49. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.