Lady Dragons defeat Redwomen, claim outright OVC title

PEDRO — The Fairland Lady Dragons set the bar this season in the Ohio Valley Conference and it looks like they’re the only ones who could reach it.

The Lady Dragons completed an unbeaten run through the league with little challenge as they beat the Rock Hill Redwomen 67-35 on Thursday to win the OVC outright and are now 20-0 overall.

Fairland’s Bree Allen (22) looks to put up a shot during Thursday's OVC game between the Rock Hill Redwomen. (Photo By Tim Gearhart)

Fairland coach Jon Buchanan’s teams have won 9 league titles in 13 years and now have their ninth 20-win season. The Lady Dragons now have a 37-game winning streak in the league.

“They’re the gold standard. That’s where you want to get your program at. They play hard and smart and you have to match that,” said Rock Hill coach Eric Bailey.

“They earned this win and they earned the league title. You have to tip your hat to them.”

Kamryn Barnitz scored 17 points including three 3-pointers to lead a balanced offense.

Bailey Russell scored 11 points, Addison Godby had 9, Tom Hinkle 8 and Bree Allen 7.

Hazley Matthews scored 10 points, Lola Hankins 9 and Hadyn Bailey 8 for Rock Hill (16-6, 12-2).

J’lynn Risner scored the first 4 points of the game for Rock Hill  a 4-3 lead.

But Russell hit a 3-pointer as Fairland went up 13-12 and never trailed again.

“We were able to handle their press early and and we were in the game for about a quarter and a half,” said Bailey.

“They stretched the lead before the half and then came out and hit three 3-pointers to start the second half and get the lead up there and they just kept it there.”

Fairland had 6 different players scored in the second quarter with Bree Allen, Tomi Hinkle and Barnitz hit 3-pointers while Addison Godby and Russell scored 4 points each and the lead was 36-18 at the half.

The Redwomen had just 2 field goals and a free throw in the quarter.

“We didn’t shoot well at all. We had some good looks, but we just didn’t hit the shots,” said coach Bailey. Hinkle, Barnitz and Kylee Bruce all hit 3-pointers in a row to begin the third quarter  as Fairland opened up a 53-24 cushion.

Matthews scored 4 points and Hadyn Bailey had a basket to account for Rock Hill’s total.

Kamryn Barnitz scored 6 points and Reece Barnitz 4 as Fairland outscored the Redwomen 14-11 in the fourth quarter.

“I’m still proud of my girls. They have played a tough schedule this year and they have played hard every game,” said coach Bailey.

Fairland   17 19 17 14 = 67

Rock Hill 13 5 6 11 = 35

FAIRLAND (20-0, 14-0): Taegen Leep 0 0 0-0 0, Isa Taliferro 3 0 0-0 6, Addison Godby 4 0 1-2 9, Reece Barnitz 2 0 0-0 4, Audrey Stephenson 0 0 0-0 0, Bree Allen 1 1 2-2 7, Tomi Hinkle 1 2 0-0 8, Kamryn Bailey 3 3 2-2 17, Bailey Russell 4 1 0-0 11, Kylee Bruce 1 1 0-0 5. Totals: 19 8 5-6 67. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.

ROCK HILL (16-6, 12-2): Hadyn Bailey 3 0 2-2 8, Hope Easterling 1 0 0-0 2, Hazley Matthews 5 0 0-0 10, Hayleigh Risner 1 0 0-0 2, J’lynn Risner 2 0 0-2 4, Lola Hankins 1 2 1-2 9. Totals: 13 2 3-6 35. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.