MIDDLETOWN — In a clash of Greater Miami Conference foes, the Fairfield High girls basketball team took care of business, beating Middletown 59-37 at Wade E. Miller Arena.
Using a relentless, in-your-face defense, the Indians swarmed the outmatched Middies into committing 17 turnovers to take a 36-19 lead into halftime.
The full-court pressure created offense to the tune of 16 points off turnovers through the first half and 29 points off turnovers for the game.
“We try to get after it,” Fairfield coach David Loper said. “We play some really good teams and so we gotta stay focused but somewhat in control. But we like the chaos.”
Pacing the Indians on the defensive end was Zahrya Bailey with seven steals. She added 12 points and five rebounds. Her backcourt mate Shaniyah Reese chipped in nine points, four boards and four steals.
The win puts Fairfield’s record at 10-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play.Middletown sports an eight-girl roster with only two seniors.
That youthfulness led to many of the turnovers.
“We’ve had a very interesting season. A tough conference schedule right off the bat,” Middies coach Kevin Aldridge said. “We had some injuries, some roster changes and some unfortunate things that have happened.”
Leading the Middies was Samill Calhoun with nine points, four rebounds and five steals. Breyon Wright chipped in another nine points.
The loss drops the Middies to 3-10 overall and 2-7 in conference play.
Fairfield travels to Lakota West next Thursday, Jan. 24. That game is scheduled to be broadcast live on the Butler County High School Sports Report Radio Network’s in-game podcast.
Middletown plays Western Hills at home this Saturday.
