Lions fall in close game with Astros
Lead Summary

By
The Highland County Press-
LEES CREEK — The Fairfield Lions were unable to overcome a first quarter where they were outscored by nine points and in the process lost for the first time this season, falling to the East Clinton Astros, 62-59 Saturday night.
EC (1-1) outscored FHS 15-6 in the first quarter, but FHS did take the lead at halftime at 22-19 with a 16-point effort, while holding the hosts to four points.
In the third, EC blasted back into the top spot with a 17-8 frame, and in the final eight minutes, the scoring was big for both teams as FHS outscored EC 29-26.
One problem for the Lions and the Astros was foul trouble as each had three players foul out.
"We had Quentin (Williams) in foul trouble early in the first with two fouls in the first few minutes, and that hurt us," FHS head coach Everett Snyder said. "We had three players foul out, and with some injuries, we had to go deeper on our bench for help.
"We didn't get off to a good start, which was the opposite of Friday night, and that was just too much to overcome for the entire game."
Leading the Lions in scoring with a double-double was Gage Montgomery with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Montgomery was 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.
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Williams followed with 18 points and four steals. Blake Hildebrant totaled seven points, and Elijah Carmean scored six. The remaining scoring for the Lions included Tyler Sims (4), Bradley Clay (2) and Ryan Bates (2).
Making 3-pointers for FHS was Carmean with two, while Williams and Hildebrant each sank one.
"Not being able to play our regular lineup with the injuries and fouls, we didn't run the floor like we would have liked," Snyder said. "We had to protect players in foul trouble and shifted back to a zone, which kept us from pressuring the ball."
Leading EC was Dalton Floyd with a game-high 22 points as he was 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Jerrett Huff followed with 12 points (two 3-pointers), and Hayden Knisley finished with 10 points.
FHS will play again on Friday, Dec. 7 for their first home game of the season as they host West Union.
EC plays again on Dec. 7 at London.
EC (1-1) outscored FHS 15-6 in the first quarter, but FHS did take the lead at halftime at 22-19 with a 16-point effort, while holding the hosts to four points.
In the third, EC blasted back into the top spot with a 17-8 frame, and in the final eight minutes, the scoring was big for both teams as FHS outscored EC 29-26.
One problem for the Lions and the Astros was foul trouble as each had three players foul out.
"We had Quentin (Williams) in foul trouble early in the first with two fouls in the first few minutes, and that hurt us," FHS head coach Everett Snyder said. "We had three players foul out, and with some injuries, we had to go deeper on our bench for help.
"We didn't get off to a good start, which was the opposite of Friday night, and that was just too much to overcome for the entire game."
Leading the Lions in scoring with a double-double was Gage Montgomery with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Montgomery was 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.
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Williams followed with 18 points and four steals. Blake Hildebrant totaled seven points, and Elijah Carmean scored six. The remaining scoring for the Lions included Tyler Sims (4), Bradley Clay (2) and Ryan Bates (2).
Making 3-pointers for FHS was Carmean with two, while Williams and Hildebrant each sank one.
"Not being able to play our regular lineup with the injuries and fouls, we didn't run the floor like we would have liked," Snyder said. "We had to protect players in foul trouble and shifted back to a zone, which kept us from pressuring the ball."
Leading EC was Dalton Floyd with a game-high 22 points as he was 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Jerrett Huff followed with 12 points (two 3-pointers), and Hayden Knisley finished with 10 points.
FHS will play again on Friday, Dec. 7 for their first home game of the season as they host West Union.
EC plays again on Dec. 7 at London.