ELIDA – The Fayette Lady Eagles kept their tournament run alive with a thrilling 48-42 overtime win over New London in the Division IV Regional semifinal.
During the first quarter the Eagles showed their ability to make the three point shot. Hannah Machacek opened the game draining a three to start the Eagles off to a flying start. With the score 3-2, it was Alexis Fruchey’s turn to find the range to give Fayette a 6-2 advantage. As if not to be outdone, Kaela Seiler connected on the final three-ball of the quarter to put the Eagles on top 11-4 as the first quarter came to an end.
The second quarter saw New London go on an 8-0 run as they tied the game at 12-12 with four minutes remaining in the half. Fayette responded with a 10-0 run before Morgan Luedy swished a three-pointer to end the half with the Eagles holding onto a 22-15 lead.
Luedy continued her assault to start the second half. She scored three of the first four buckets of the half sandwiching a basket by Fayette’s Taylor Griffith as the Eagles lead was sliced to 24-21 with 6:15 remaining. A put back from Fruchey, two foul shots by Seiler and a make at the 3:40 mark by Griffiths, built the Eagles lead back to nine at 30-21. Again New London did not fold as they responded with a 10-0 run aided by two 3s by Payton Shaye. The Eagles clung to a 33-31 lead as the third quarter came to an end.
Griffiths scored two points :51 seconds into the fourth quarter to make the score 35-31. A foul shot and baskets from Kaylee Haswell and Kennedy Howell gave New London their first lead at 36-35. Over the last 3:55 Griffiths sank a two pointer, a foul shot by New London, a basket by Seiler on a great feed from Fruchey. Fayette was up 39-37. With 2:12 remaining Luedy sank to free throws to tie the game up. New London ran the clock down and took a time out with 13.5 seconds remaining to set up their final play for the win. The shot was half way down the basket and bounced out. Overtime was next.
In the overtime session it was the Taylor Griffiths show. The talented senior calmly went six-for-six from the line to help the Eagles on way to a 5-0 run to move past New London 48-42. As a team, the Eagles hit on 18 of 20 free throws during the contest.
Fayette (26-1) returns to Elida High School Saturday for a Regional Championship game at 7:30 p.m. versus 24-3 Fostoria St. Wendelin.
DIVISION IV
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
FAYETTE 48, NEW LONDON 42
NEW LONDON
- Carruthers 1-0-3—5; E. Copley, 0-1-1—4; P. Shays, 0-2-2—8; M. Luedy, 3-2-2 —14; K Howell 2-0-2 — 6; R. Haswell 1-1-0 — 5 . TOTAL: 7-6-10 – 42.
FAYETTE
- Machacek, 0-1-1-—4; T. Griffiths, 6-1-6—21; K. Seiler, 1-1-6—11; A. Fruchey, 2-1-5—12. TOTAL: 9-4-18—48.