It is always appointment viewing when Strafford and Fair Grove meet up in any sport, and the Class 3 District 11 semifinal matchup on Wednesday was no exception. Five days after Strafford beat Fair Grove 62-48 in the regular season finale, the Indians were able to win again 68-62 in overtime.
Strafford steadily built up a lead through the first three quarters leading 7-6 after one quarter then 24-20 at the half. The Indians expanded the lead to 41-35 after three quarters before Fair Grove came alive offensively. The Eagles outscored Strafford 19-13 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
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Brody McNew, who scored 13 points for Strafford, opened the extra frame with a three-pointer to give Strafford a lead it would not relinquish. Fair Grove cut the lead to one at 57-56 on a Nolen Geitz layup. Back-to-back baskets by McNew and Cody Voysey extended Strafford’s lead to five at 61-56. Fair Grove answered with a bucket from Jaxon Rowden to cut Strafford’s lead back to one possession at 61-58. Elliott Goings answered with a score for Strafford to make the lead five at 63-58 and Fair Grove would never get back within a possession as Strafford went five-for-six from the free throw line to close the game out.
Voysey led Strafford with 21 points. Goings scored 12 points in the win. AK Rael had nine points for Strafford but did not play after the third quarter.
Rowden led Fair Grove and all scorers with 27 points. Bryden Baxter had 18 points.
Strafford advances to face No. 1 seed Sparta for the Class 3 District 11 championship at 7 pm on Friday at Fair Grove.
Fair Grove – 6-14-15-19-8 — 62
Strafford – 7-17-17-13-14 — 68
F: Jaxon Rowden 27, Bryden Baxter 18, Tyler Barnett 6, Blake Winterberg 5, Sam Kennard 2, Spensar Seiger 2, Nolen Geitz 2
S: Cody Voysey 21, Brody McNew 13, Elliott Goings 12, AK Rael 9, Isaac Berg 6, Jourdyn Edelstein 4, Braden Willard 3
