Lions rally back to defeat Miami Trace

     EBER – Allowing the Miami Trace Panthers to take the lead with seconds to go in the fourth quarter, after leading by as much as 14 points in the game, Fairfield’s Cameron Rolark put the game in his hands by taking the ball the distance of the court and sinking a floater for the 60-59 Lion win Monday night at Miami Trace High School.

     “We escaped with the win tonight,” Fairfield head coach Matt Carson said. “I couldn’t be happier for Cameron to have the courage to take the ball up the court and take the final shot like he did. I am happy for him he got to take the shot.”

     The Lions (2-1, 3-3) dominated the Panthers for 28 minutes on both sides of the court leading by 45-31 in the final quarter. The Panthers rallied to make the score 57-50 with .57 to go in regulation. Rolark’s shot took the lead away from Miami Trace to seal the Lions' victory.

     FHS trailed 16-11 after the opening quarter, but the stout defense of Fairfield held MT to two points in the second quarter, while the Lions scored 13 points.

     In the third FHS outscored the Panthers 18-12. The MT rally had the Panthers win the final quarter, but not the game, at 29-18.

     “I was impressed with our defense for 28 minutes, but it seemed like we were playing not to lose, rather playing to win the game,” Carson said.

     FHS junior Chris Cox had a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Cox was 9 of 11 from the free-throw line, while making eight shots from the field.

     Cody Tolle followed with 10 points as he made two 3-pointers and two two-point baskets.

     Alex Henson finished with nine points followed by Rolark with seven. Ian Adams finished with five points, six steals and five assists. Nick Sowders finished with four points.

     For the Panthers Ty Leach scored a team-high 21 points. Isaiah Carson finished with 16 points for MT.

     “We are starting to put things together,” Matt Carson said. “Miami Trace battled at the end, but it is always good for us to get a win over an SCOL team.”

     The Lions will play again on Tuesday, Dec. 29 as they will host county rival McClain at Grandle Gymnasium.

BOX SCORE

SCORE BY QUARTERS

FHS – 11 13 18 18 – 60

MTHS – 16 2 12 29 – 59

INDIVIDUAL STATS

FHS (60)

Sowders 2 4, Adams 0 (1) 2-2 5, Rolark 3 1-2 7, Henson 3 3-6 9, Cox 8 9-11 25, Tolle 2 (2) 10. TOTALS: 18 (3) 15-21 60.