Emma Fouch nets 1,000th career point in Fairfield win at West Union
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
WEST UNION – Needing the same number of points as her jersey number to become the fourth player in Fairfield Lady Lions history to score 1,000 career points, Fairfield senior Emma Fouch achieved that feat and more on Monday night at West Union.
After a first half where shots made were at a premium for Fairfield, a very strong second half led to a commanding 70-28 win in Southern Hills Athletic Conference action at WUHS.
A huge part of the win was the third quarter where FHS not only outscored the host Lady Dragons 25-4, but it was the quarter where Fouch gained her 1,000th career point, and in the process that third frame led to her tying the school record with seven 3-pointers in a game.
Fouch – whose grandfather was the late Kevin Fouch, the longest-tenured head coach in Lady Lions history – made four 3-pointers in the third frame that helped take the Lady Lions from a 25-22 lead to a 50-26 advantage after three frames.
The quarter began with a layup off a fast break by senior Ella Newkirk, followed by back-to-back treys from Fouch with 6:01 on the clock. Fouch finished the game with 21 points.
After two free throws by the host Lady Dragons, and two points by Fairfield’s Peyton Magee, it was the moment that Fouch had worked to achieve during her four-year varsity basketball player … scoring her 1,000th career point.
The scoring feat was achieved when Fouch sank a 3-pointer with 5:23 left in the third quarter, sending FHS to a 38-24 score.
“I was getting a little nervous because obviously the first half I didn’t shoot very well, but it felt nice hitting the shot, and my teammates came over and made me feel special,” Fouch said of scoring her 1,000th career point.
“It feels great that we are sitting at 6-0 now. I’ve never cared about the individual scoring, but now that’s out of the way I can refocus. It is crazy to be a 1,000-point scorer at Fairfield. I want to thank all of my coaches, teammates and family for all of their support.”
Fouch joins Kay Cummings (1,054), Heather (Cox) Storer (1,199) and Grace Shope (1,711) in the Lady Lions’ 1,000-point club. Fouch now has 1,010 points for her career.
FHS head coach Jeremy McGraw praised Fouch and her accomplishment.
“What a special night for Emma Fouch. The kid works hard, puts in the hours and is well-deserved,” McGraw said. “She caught fire in the third quarter, and that sparked us and that’s what we need.
“What a great night and great accomplishment for her.”
As for the remainder of the third frame, Braylynn Haines made two free throws for Fairfield, plus Magee made a put-back, Newkirk had a 3-point play and two made free throws from Madison Bronner put Lady Lions ahead by 24 points at 50-26 after three frames.
In the final quarter, the Lady Lions had two more 3-pointers from Fouch, plus points from Faith Donley (including a 3-pointer), Haines, Newkirk and Hannah Hamilton to secure the 42-point win.
Fairfield’s final scoring included Newkirk and Magee with 13 points each, while Haines ended the game with nine points, Donley totaled eight points, Bronner added four points and Hamilton totaled two points.
As a team, the Lady Lions made 14 two-point baskets, 11 3-pointers and were 9-of-14 from the free-throw line.
McGraw spoke about the first half compared to the second half at West Union.
“It wasn’t that we played bad, but we just missed a bunch of shots, and that’s not like us,” he said. “We missed a bunch of easy looks and opportunities, and we got a little soft on defense.
“As for halftime I just told them to be patient, and our defense will lead to some offense and that is what happened.”
The first half for Fairfield wasn’t their best overall basketball of the season as they had troubles getting shots to fall, with the team missing their first eight attempts, leading to West Union holding a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
By the time halftime rolled around, it was Fairfield back in front at 25-22, as FHS took the lead at the end of the quarter with a 3-pointer by Magee at the buzzer.
The victory improves the Lady Lions to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the SHAC.
“It has been a great ride so far in our first six games. We are battle-tested, and teams are taking their best shots at us. That’s what I tell the girls, we are going to get teams’ best shot night-in and night-out,” McGraw said. “I’m proud of our girls. We were down 12-2 tonight, and that’s happened to us before.
“The whole thing is to stay calm, to be patient and eventually things will happen.”
Next for Fairfield is a non-conference game against the Washington Lady Blue Lions Dec. 9 at Washington.
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After a first half where shots made were at a premium for Fairfield, a very strong second half led to a commanding 70-28 win in Southern Hills Athletic Conference action at WUHS.
A huge part of the win was the third quarter where FHS not only outscored the host Lady Dragons 25-4, but it was the quarter where Fouch gained her 1,000th career point, and in the process that third frame led to her tying the school record with seven 3-pointers in a game.
Fouch – whose grandfather was the late Kevin Fouch, the longest-tenured head coach in Lady Lions history – made four 3-pointers in the third frame that helped take the Lady Lions from a 25-22 lead to a 50-26 advantage after three frames.
The quarter began with a layup off a fast break by senior Ella Newkirk, followed by back-to-back treys from Fouch with 6:01 on the clock. Fouch finished the game with 21 points.
After two free throws by the host Lady Dragons, and two points by Fairfield’s Peyton Magee, it was the moment that Fouch had worked to achieve during her four-year varsity basketball player … scoring her 1,000th career point.
The scoring feat was achieved when Fouch sank a 3-pointer with 5:23 left in the third quarter, sending FHS to a 38-24 score.
“I was getting a little nervous because obviously the first half I didn’t shoot very well, but it felt nice hitting the shot, and my teammates came over and made me feel special,” Fouch said of scoring her 1,000th career point.
“It feels great that we are sitting at 6-0 now. I’ve never cared about the individual scoring, but now that’s out of the way I can refocus. It is crazy to be a 1,000-point scorer at Fairfield. I want to thank all of my coaches, teammates and family for all of their support.”
Fouch joins Kay Cummings (1,054), Heather (Cox) Storer (1,199) and Grace Shope (1,711) in the Lady Lions’ 1,000-point club. Fouch now has 1,010 points for her career.
FHS head coach Jeremy McGraw praised Fouch and her accomplishment.
“What a special night for Emma Fouch. The kid works hard, puts in the hours and is well-deserved,” McGraw said. “She caught fire in the third quarter, and that sparked us and that’s what we need.
“What a great night and great accomplishment for her.”
As for the remainder of the third frame, Braylynn Haines made two free throws for Fairfield, plus Magee made a put-back, Newkirk had a 3-point play and two made free throws from Madison Bronner put Lady Lions ahead by 24 points at 50-26 after three frames.
In the final quarter, the Lady Lions had two more 3-pointers from Fouch, plus points from Faith Donley (including a 3-pointer), Haines, Newkirk and Hannah Hamilton to secure the 42-point win.
Fairfield’s final scoring included Newkirk and Magee with 13 points each, while Haines ended the game with nine points, Donley totaled eight points, Bronner added four points and Hamilton totaled two points.
As a team, the Lady Lions made 14 two-point baskets, 11 3-pointers and were 9-of-14 from the free-throw line.
McGraw spoke about the first half compared to the second half at West Union.
“It wasn’t that we played bad, but we just missed a bunch of shots, and that’s not like us,” he said. “We missed a bunch of easy looks and opportunities, and we got a little soft on defense.
“As for halftime I just told them to be patient, and our defense will lead to some offense and that is what happened.”
The first half for Fairfield wasn’t their best overall basketball of the season as they had troubles getting shots to fall, with the team missing their first eight attempts, leading to West Union holding a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
By the time halftime rolled around, it was Fairfield back in front at 25-22, as FHS took the lead at the end of the quarter with a 3-pointer by Magee at the buzzer.
The victory improves the Lady Lions to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the SHAC.
“It has been a great ride so far in our first six games. We are battle-tested, and teams are taking their best shots at us. That’s what I tell the girls, we are going to get teams’ best shot night-in and night-out,” McGraw said. “I’m proud of our girls. We were down 12-2 tonight, and that’s happened to us before.
“The whole thing is to stay calm, to be patient and eventually things will happen.”
Next for Fairfield is a non-conference game against the Washington Lady Blue Lions Dec. 9 at Washington.
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