Fairfield Central’s Tanise Davis (12) throws up a runner in round two action against Keenan Saturday. (Photo/Joe Seibles)
Martin Injury Spells End to Title Chase
WINNSBORO – For the Lady Griffins of Fairfield Central, a third-quarter rally – and along with it, their hopes for a state championship run – were dashed against the rocks of a pivotal injury Saturday afternoon. For the Lady Raiders, the third time was the charm.
Having mastered their region rivals twice already this season, the Lady Griffins lost 2A player of the year Jada Martin to a knee injury in the third quarter of Saturday’s second round game of the state playoffs and with her their momentum, falling to Keenan 40-27 before a crestfallen home crowd.
“Jada got hurt and it all went downhill from there,” Fairfield head coach Cedrick Simpson said. “We had just taken the lead and were on the verge of making a run. When she went out, that really broke the team.”
Trailing 13-9 at the half, the Lady Griffins came out of the locker room with new life, rattling off five unanswered points to start the third period. Raven Rivers gave Fairfield the 14-13 edge on a three-pointer, and the rally was on. But moments later, Martin landed badly returning to earth from a difficult shot, wrenching her left knee. Dejected, Martin limped from the floor, her title hopes and her career in the black and gold now officially a part of her past.
Although touting a healthy bench throughout the season, the Lady Griffins could not respond to the loss of Martin. The Lady Raiders, meanwhile, took full advantage, erasing the brief Fairfield lead with a 9-0 run to go up 22-14. Keenan would never trail again.
“When you lose somebody like (Martin), you lose leadership,” Simpson said. “She’s somebody you can rely on. That’s the main thing. Like a security blanket. That’s what she meant to our team.”
The Lady Griffins came out of the starting blocks sluggishly Saturday, missing their first 10 shots and held off the scoreboard until the 2:53 point in the opening quarter. Keenan, on the other hand, was in the groove. But the Lady Griffins had cut the lead to 5-3 before the first buzzer and trailed 13-9 at the half. After three, the Fairfield deficit was still manageable at 22-17, but an 18-10 fourth quarter for the Lady Raiders sealed the deal.
“We came out flat,” Simpson said. “Then we lost a lot of confidence when Jada went down. Keenan gained a lot of confidence.”
The Lady Griffins end their 2013-2014 season with a 17-5 record and the Region III title. While a far cry of their state title expectations, Simpson said he will return a solid core next season.
“We’re going to be strong for the next three or four years,” Simpson said.
