West M's dream season ends in girls basketball regional semifinals
ZANESVILLE — A season full of memories came to an end on Tuesday for the West Muskingum girls basketball team.
Proctorville Fairland relied on its pressure defense and long-range shooting to build a 25-point halftime lead in a 63-22 victory in the Division II regional semifinal at Zanesville's Winland Memorial Gymnasium.
The Tornadoes (23-4) struggled to find any footing. Jayden Thornton made the team's first attempt of the game, but they went more than six minutes without a field goal in falling behind 20-9 after one quarter.
West M was held to 5-for-22 shooting and committed 15 turnovers in the first half, while the defending regional champion Dragons went 14-for-29, including 6-for-14 behind the arc.
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Fairland (25-1) will face Sheridan for the regional title at 7 p.m. Friday.
"We knew it was a tall task because they're such a well-rounded team," West Muskingum coach Josh Middleton said. "We couldn't get out on the 3, and we missed some open looks early. We lost to a quality team in the Sweet 16, and it's been a great run."
Dragons too much for Tornadoes
Bree Allen started the long-range shooting display with a 3 on Fairland's opening possession, while Kylee Bruce made one among her seven first-quarter points and Isa Taliaferro also drilled one from deep.
West M's Laney Johnson ended the field goal drought with a layup then scored off a Fairland miss to make it 20-9, but Kamryn Barnitz split a pair of free throws then Addison Godby scored on a putback for a 23-9 advantage through one.
Thornton, who scored a team-best 11 points, also opened the second with a hoop for the Tornadoes, but eight straight empty possessions allowed the Dragons to build a 32-11 lead.
In fitting fashion, Barnitz hit a 3 to cap the first half, as Fairland led 38-13 at the break.
Bruce finished with 20 points, including four 3s, Bailey Russell also had 16 points with four 3s and Allen added 10 to pace the Dragons.
Fairland coach Jon Buchanan felt his team's expectations, as well as final four experience, propelled the Dragons.
"We went back and forth about pressuring them and possibly giving them open looks, but we went after them, and it paid off," he said. "We had six of our eight (rotational players) back from last year. Our kids expected to be in this game, the regional final and the state final four. I believe that helped us."
Season to remember on The Hill
It was still a season of accomplishments for West Muskingum. The Tornadoes won the Muskingum Valley League Small School Division, their first league title since 2012, and a district championship, their first since 2005, as well as posting 23 wins.
Laney Johnson and Taylor Spung, both starters, as well as Jaslynn Bonnell and Gianna Ewert graduate this spring. Several underclassmen, including Thornton, Debra Allen, Addy Antonetz and Lyla Johnson, are expected to return.
Middleton hopes his squad will look back on this experience fondly, while also fueling his returning players for next season.
"We accomplished a lot," he said. "It's tough to see it end, but I believe this experience will help us. It will also be one that will be remembered."
bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: OHSAA Division II girls basketball: West Muskingum run ends vs. Fairland
