Offense erupts in 2nd quarter as Lady Dragons roll into state tournament

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — Nothing like a little scare to get your engine running.

After falling behind in the first quarter, the Fairland Lady Dragons came to life and got their offense in gear as they routed the Anna Lady Rockets 60-38 to win their fourth straight regional championship.

“They had a good game plan. They came out and did some things that took us out  of our game,” said Fairland coach John Buchanan. “They’re a good team. But we were able to adjust and we did a better job with our offense.”

Fairland (23-4) will now play Ottawa-Glandorf in the Division 5 state semifinals at 5 p.m. Friday at Wright State University, The finals will be Saturday at the University of Dayton.

Ottawa-Glandorf (27-0) beat Columbus Africentric 54-42 to win its region.

“Our girls are excited about going to back to the Final Four for the fourth straight season,” said Buchanan. “But we are more focused on going back and winning. We’re not just glad to be there.”

Anna (17-9) took a 13-12 first quarter lead as Mackenzie Mumaw scored 5 points and Vanessa Platfoot scored 4 points.

Isa Taliaferro and Bailey Russell each hit 3-pointers to keep Fairland close.

The Lady Dragons took charge in the second quarter by outscoring the Lady Rockets 23-11 to grab a 35-24 halftime lead.

Russell hit another 3-pointer and scored 8 points while Addison Godby scored 6 points to fuel the Fairland offensive surge.

The Lady Dragons extended their lead to 47-31 in the third quarter as Lola Donahue, Russell and Taliaferro all hit 3-pointers.

Kiana Miller scored 6 points and Russell 4 in the fourth quarter as the Lady Dragons continued to pad their lead.

Russell lead Fairland with 20 points and 5 rebounds while Godby had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Taliaferro had 9 points and 4 assists.

Platfoot scored 11 points for Anna.

Anna 13 11 7 7 = 38

Fairland 12 23 12 13 = 60

ANNA (17-9): Jayden Doseck 0 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Mumaw 2 1 3-4 8, Adeline McVety 2 0 0-1 4, Vanessa Platfoot 3 1 2-6 11, Tori Osborn 2 0 0-0 4, Addison Bales 4 0 1-2 9, Maria Heitkamp 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 2 6-13 38. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Vanessa Platfoot

FAIRLAND (23-4): Teagan Leep 1 0 0-0 2, Isa Taliaferro 0 3 0-0 9, Addison Godby 3 0 2-5 8, Rylee Russell 1 1 0-0 5, Haley Lykins 0 0 0-0 0, Addyson Cornell 2 0 0-0 4, Stella Whitley 0 0 0-0 0, Lola Donahue 1 1 0-0 5, Kiana Miller 3 0 1-2 7, Liana Streets 0 0 0-0 0, Ray Anderson 0 0 0-0 0, Bailey Russell 3 3 5-6 20, Morgan Elkins 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-47 8-13 60. 3-pt goals: 8-21. Rebounds; 27 (Godby 9, B. Russell 5). Assists: 13 (Taliaferro 4, Godby 4). Steals: 5. Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.