Lakeyn Boyd (5) does battle underneath the basket for Fairfield Central. (Photo/DeAnna Robinson)
WINNSBORO (Feb. 14, 2017) – The Fairfield Central girls got off to a typically slow start against Broome in the opening round of the 3A state playoffs Monday. The Griffins’ defense forced the Centurions into an even slower start.
Fairfield Central battled the basket for more than three minutes in the first quarter, before Tameisha Woodard finally got a layup in. From there on out, the Griffins never lost a lead and knocked off Broome 48-28.
“I felt like the girls were ready to play tonight, they were mentally ready,” Fairfield Central head coach Amelia Miller said. “We stayed the course and then we did what we were supposed to do.”
Jamaria Sampson led the Griffins with 11 points.
The Region IV-3A champions (9-12) play host to Southside Thursday at 6:30.
While it did take them a while to get some points on the board, the Griffins kept attacking the basket thanks to Broome’s 16 turnovers in the first half.
Once the Griffins got some points on the board, Cristin Gray led the way in the first quarter. She hit the first of two foul shots early in the game, and after Sampson sank a 3-pointer, Gray made back-to-back steals that led to a basket from her and a basket from Woodard. Gray helped put the cap on a 12-0 scoring run with a defensive rebound that Sampson converted to a layup with 1:30 left.
Broome’s only point in the first quarter came on a pair of Mackenzie Mahoney foul shots with a minute remaining.
The Centurions tried to come to life with four points to start the second quarter, but the Griffins kept the defensive pressure on and closed out the second quarter leading 20-9.
The Griffins led 33-16 going into the fourth quarter, and used a 10-2 run midway through the final period to go up 47-20, their biggest lead of the game.
“We’re going to be ready to play,” Miller said. “It’s just about being physically and mentally ready to play. From here on out it’s just one game at a time.”
BHS: 1-8-7-12 – 28
FCHS: 12-8-13-15 – 48
Broome: Ansley Hodge 12, Mahoney 5, Dawes 5, Reid 2, Morrissey 2, Jennings 2.
Fairfield Central: Jamaria Sampson 11, Gray 9, Collier 8, Woodard 8, Henderson 6, Boyd 3, Armstrong 2, Emerson 1.
