Scoring runs spark Fairland to district finals, Russell sets school scoring record

WAVERLY — After a sluggish start, the Fairland Lady Dragons got their offense going in a big way with two different scoring runs in the latter stages of the first half to roll past the Minford Lady Falcons with a 68-38 win in the  Division 5 district semifinals on Saturday at the Waverly Downtown Arena.

"We really missed a lot of shots early on. We started to create the pace we wanted in the second quarter. We've got some kids that have been here-done that and I think we take some things for granted sometimes. And being in district games, there's nothing to take for granted."

All told, the Lady Dragons had 9 different players score in the win with Bailey Russell leading the team with 18 points, 3 steals and 2 assists. Russell's scoring effort also was a historic moment, as the senior guard became the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,961 points. The senior guard clinched the scoring mark at the 3:40 of the third when she received an inbound pass on the Kiana Miller and made put the ball in for her final points of the night.

While Russell was elated to reach the milestone, she was especially grateful to her teammates, because they had a hand in helping her.

"Breaking the record means a lot, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates,"said Russell. "So many of my teammates assisted me with the extra pass and I couldn't have done it without them."

Fairland also got 6 points apiece from Isa Taliaferro and Addison Godby as the other top scorers.

Minford never held a lead larger than four but they controlled the tempo of the game through the first quarter and nearly 3 minutes into the second frame.

Enz's short jumper along the baseline would give the Lady Falcons a 19-15 lead with 5:47 remaining before halftime.

From that moment on, the Lady Dragons would piece together two different scoring runs to take the lead and run away with the game.

Rylie Russell would be key to beginning the run, as she kicked it off with a basket off an assist from Addyson Cornell and later had a steal for an easy layup. Lola Donahue would score to cap off the 10-0 run.

Minford would close the gap and cut Fairland's led down to 25-23 following a mid-range jumper from Lainey Howard.

But again, the Lady Dragons would mount another scoring spree, this time it would be a 16-0 run to close out the final 2:34 of the half.

Bailey Russell would ignite this run by burying a 3-pointer and adding another trey and 2 free throws. Stella Whitley would finish both the run and scoring in the first half with a 3-pointer to give Fairland a commanding 41-23 lead at the break.

Buchanan was especially pleased with the contributions from his bench. Rylee Russell, Kiana Miller, Stella Whaley and Lola Donahue combined for 20 points on the offensive end and generated 5 steals help on the defensive end.

"All those kids we bring off the bench have done a good job this year," said Buchanan. "We knew we were going to depend on them if we wanted to make a run and they've come along this year.

The Lady Falcons were led on the stat sheet by Makenna Enz with 11 points, 2 rebounds and a pair of steals.

Fairland will play at noon next Saturday in the district finals at the Waverly Downtown Arena.

Minford 13 10 8 7 = 38

Fairland 11 30 20 7 = 68

MINFORD (12-11): Saide Tieman 0 0 0-0 0, Emma Carter 2 0 2-6 6, Keriger Davis 2 1 0-2 7, Kyndal Raynard 0 0 0-0 0, Makenna Enz 3 0 5-7 11, Marley Rhodes 1 0 0-0 2, Ava Flaig 2 0 0-0 4, Lainey Howard 2 0 3-4 7, A Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Riley Kasee 0 0 0-0 0. Rebounds: 23 (Howard 6, Davis 4, Flaig 4). Assists: 2 (Enz, Kasee). Steals: 5 (Enz 2). Blocks: 3 (Davis 2, Rhodes). Totals: 12 1 11-19 38. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.

FAIRLAND (20-4): Teagan Leep 0 2 0-0 6, Isa Taliaferro 2 1 2-2 9, Addison Godby 4 0 1-4 9, Rylee Russell 2 1 0-0 7, Haley Lykins 0 0 0-0 0, Addyson Cornell 3 0 0-0 6, Stella Whitley 0 1 0-0 3, Lola Donahue 3 0 0-2 6. Kiana Miller 2 0 0-0 4. Liana Streets 0 0 0-0 0. Ray Anderson 0 0 0-0 0. Bailey Russell 4 2 4-5 18. Morgan Elkins 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 7 7-13 68. 3-pt goals: 7-30. Rebounds: 27 (Godby 7, Taliaferro 5). Assists: 20 (Godby 8, B. Russell 4, Cornell 3). Steals: 16 (R. Russell 3, Miller 3, B. Russell 3). Blocks: 2 (Godby, Cornell). Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.