Portsmouth Hands Lady Dragons First Loss of Season

Fairland's Addison Godby looks to put a shot up in the paint. (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

Portsmouth's Sienna Allen brings down a rebound. (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

Fairland's Kamryn Barnitz drives up the floor while evading a defender. (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

PROCTORVILLE — In the battle of the unbeaten, this round goes to the Portsmouth Lady Trojans.

The two teams split last season as they shared the Ohio Valley Conference title. On Saturday, Portsmouth handed Fairland its first loss of the season 66-49 to take over sole possession of first place in the league.

The Lady Trojans (9-0, 6-0) had three players in double figures as Keke Woods scored a game-high 25 points followed by Daysha Reid with 17 and Sienna Allen 18.

“We knew coming in we couldn’t get beat on the offensive boards and they killed us on the offensive boards,” said Fairland coach Jon Buchanan. “That’s what really got their lead.”

Kamryn Barnitz led Fairland (7-1, 5-1) with 16 points. Addison Godby had 9 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

Leading scorer Bailey Russell was held to just 6 points.

“That’s what we talk about all the time,” said Portsmouth coach Amy Hughes. “There aren’t many players who could play for dad (her assistant coach Mike Hughes) and me. You have to be the right kind of kid to play for us. You have to absolutely be tough as nails.”

Portsmouth’s defense against the Fairland 3-point shooting was a key factor. The Lady Dragons only connected on 9-of-32 attempts and were just 13-of-55 from the floor overall.

Woods had 10 points including a 3-pointer, Allen scored 4 points and Reid nailed a 3-pointer as Portsmouth took a 21-15 first quarter lead.

Lam Barnitz, Bailey Russell and Ava Layne all hit 3-pointers for Fairland.

The lead grew to 40-25 at the half as Allen dropped in 8 points, Woods scored 5 points including another 3-pointer and Reid added 4 points.

Barnitz scored 5 points as she and Addyson Cornell each hit 3-pointers.

Fairland cut the deficit to 51-38 to end the third quarter.

Barnitz made a pair of 3-pointers and 2 foul shots while Godby was 3-of-4 at the line and Cornell was 2-of-2 as the Lady Dragons inched back toward the Lady Trojans.

Reid and Woods scored 4 each in the quarter.

But the Lady Trojans went on a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter as they rebuilt their lead. Woods scored 6 points and Reid had 6 points including 3-of-4 at the foul line in the quarter.

Russell and Layne each knocked down 3-pointers and Cornell was 3-of-4 at the foul line for the Lady Dragons.

Portsmouth 21 19 11 16 = 66

Fairland   15 10 13 11 = 49

PORTSMOUTH (9-0, 5-0): Sierra Allen 6 0 2-2 14, Salem Allen 0 0 0-0 0, Daysha Reid 4 2 3-4 17, Keke Woods 8 2 3-5 25, Hayven Carter 3 0 0-0 6, Bry Shannon 0 0 0-0 0, K.K. Mays 1 0 2-2 4, Sky Mays 0 0 0-0 0, Savannah Cantrell 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26-48 10-13 66. 3-pt goals: 4-11. Rebounds: 39 (Si. Allen 12, Woods 6, Shannon 5). Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

FAIRLAND (7-1, 5-1): Tegan Leep 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Isa Taliferro 0-2 0-4 0-0 0, Ava Layne 1-2 2-8 0-0 8, Addison Godby 2-4 0-1 5-7 9, Haleigh Miller 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Siera Pemberton 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Addyson Cornell 1-6 1-3 5-6 10, Kamryn Barnitz 1-5 4-8 2-4 16, Bailey Russell 0-4 2-8 0-0 6. Totals: 14-55 12-17 49. 3-pt goal: 9-32. Rebounds 35 Godby 10, Barnitz 6, Cornell 5). Assists: 9 (Godby 4, Taliaferro 2, Barnitz 2).Steals: 8 (Taliaferro 2, Layne 2, Barnitz 2). Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Godby.