Brock Netter, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ZANESVILLE — Fairfield Union is going to party like it’s 1999.
26 years ago, the Falcons completed a 21-6 season that ended with their first-ever regional title and a state semifinal appearance.
That year has been revered in Fairfield Union’s rich history, and it now has company. In fact, there’s a strong argument that it’s been surpassed.
“I remember telling Jill [Cooperider] and Sam [Sattler] on the way to the game that this doesn’t feel real at all,” Fairfield Union’s Alexis Leith said. “Trying to take all of this in, the fact that we’re playing in a regional final and all of the accomplishments that this team has been able to achieve this year is insane. This team is very special to me. It’s the best senior year I could ask for.”
And it’s not over yet.
Led by 34 points and 14 rebounds from standout Christian Thompson, the Falcons are bringing back the program’s second regional title after a dominant 56-35 win over Carrollton in Thursday’s Division IV regional final.
MSL champs? Check. District champs? Check? Regional champs? Check.
Oh, and still undefeated at 27-0? Check.
“It was there for that 1999 team that made it to state, and this feeling is just as amazing as I remember,” Fairfield Union coach Keith Barr said. “That team was a great ball club, and for these girls to do this in my first year back with the program is unbelievable. They’ve done such a great job all season and I couldn’t be more proud or happy for them.”
Thompson carried the offense early, scoring the team’s opening nine points while the Falcon defense did what it does best … create chaos.
Their active hands and knack for being in the right spots forced seven turnovers in the first quarter alone. However, Carrollton (20-7) stayed the course and managed to get buckets from Kyile Ujchch and Haley Lesile to stay within 9-7. But Thompson later dished an assist to Leith to keep the Falcons ahead 11-9 after the first.
Both offenses slowed in the second, but the Warriors pieced together a 6-2 run that gave them a 15-13 lead. It was short-lived, though, as Maddi Mitchell splashed a 3 and Thompson scored in transition to put the Falcons back ahead 18-15 before rounding out at 24-21 edge at halftime.
Despite being within one possession, the Warriors had no idea what was about to hit them.
Thompson and Maycee Martindill combined to open the third on a 7-2 run, giving the Falcons their biggest lead of the game at 31-23.
The defense went right back on the attack, forcing more turnovers and speeding up the pace of the game to the point where the Warriors were staring down an adventure to no return.
“Putiting that work in on the defensive side always leads to more offensive possessions,” Fairfield Union’s Averey Cottrill said. “Creating nearly 30 turnovers means more chances to get the ball to our scorers and make those baskets to win games like this.”
Thompson continued to light up the scoreboard, tallying 28 points through three quarters as the Falcons outscored the Warriors 17-6 in the third and took a 41-27 lead into the fourth before coasting the rest of the way to a regional title.
“Hitting that first shot felt good, but this wasn’t about playing for myself. It was about playing for my team and doing what was needed for us to win,” Thompson said. “I don’t really care about the attention it gets or anything like that. I want the team’s success to be first because that’s what really matters.”
Following Thompson’s totals, Mitchell and Taylor Smeck each added six points to the mix.
Fairfield Union advances to a Division IV state semifinal. The time, date, opponent and location of that matchup will be determined this weekend.
“I didn’t play last year, but I’m so glad I came back to play for my senior year,” Cottrill said. “I couldn’t turn down the chance to play with these girls who I’ve played with since middle school one more time and the fact we’re now in a state semifinal is crazy.”
SPONSORED BY BO LACEY EXTERIORS
