By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Over the past two seasons, Fair Grove has shown an uncanny ability to adapt, overcome and win at almost every play style imaginable.
Its resume includes two-straight state championships … and counting.
During Monday’s White Division semifinal, Fair Grove defeated Marshfield 62-48 in a back-and-forth grind.
The Eagles’ three-headed monster of Ashton Bell (17), Brooke Daniels (12) and Abby Green (10) combined for 39 points and, once again, proved you can’t stop them all.
“Well, you just pick your poison with these girls,” Fair Grove head coach Gary Greene said. “There are a lot of good players on our team.”
From the tip, Marshfield looked to limit scoring opportunities for Daniels, Fair Grove’s playmaker and floor leader.
Daniels responded by keying a 20-7 run to open the game and facilitating opportunities for Bell, Green, Emma Padgett and Camdyn Hart.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Bell, in particular, reaped the benefits.
The 5-foot-9 senior scored a team-high 17 points on the day and attributed her success to an unspoken chemistry among her teammates acquired through many years of playing together.
“We just know each other so well from growing up,” Bell said. “We know what to do when we get out of control. Whenever the game gets too fast-paced, we just know and we listen to Coach Greene. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We know what we need to pick up on and what we need to stop during the game.”
A 3-pointer from Peyton Ward in the second quarter cut the Fair Grove lead to seven points at 26-19, but the Blue Jays were unable to close the gap any further – hovering anywhere from 12-15 points throughout the rest of the game.
Ward finished with a game-high 18 points, while teammate Quinn Aldridge added 10 for the Blue Jays.
The victory propels Fair Grove (8-2) into the White Division championship against Hillcrest (10-0) tomorrow at 3:30 pm. Marshfield (7-3) will face West Plains (6-4) in the 12:30 am third place matchup.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
“It’s a four-day marathon,” Greene said. “Everybody’s dealing with tired legs, but I’m excited to play Hillcrest. They’ve been really impressive and they’re going to be a real challenge for us. They’re very physical, but we like to play that way so, you know, it will be fun. I know this – our girls will show up and compete.”
Varsity Final: Fair Grove – 62, Marshfield – 48
Marshfield 7 14 12 15 — 48
Fair Grove 15 19 13 15 — 62
Marshfield scoring: Peyton Ward – 18, Quinn Aldridge – 10, Kendyl Dolan – 7, Izzy Cherne – 6, Tilly Greenfield – 4, Miley Austin – 3
Fair Grove scoring: Ashton Bell – 17, Brooke Daniels – 12, Abbey Green – 10, Camdyn Hart – 9, Emma Padgett – 8, Shea Skouby – 4
