Pasco – December 18, 2004
They executed like Blue Angels in their F-15 Fighter Jets dissecting the Patriot defense with patience, good passing and precise outside shooting. Fairlawn jumped out to an early double-digit lead as high as 19 points then they put it on autopilot and cruised to a 74-64 win.

In the first quarter the Patriots committed 7 turnovers and Fairlawn was able to convert four of the seven into points with three of those scores being treys. When TV was able to get into the half court game it was obvious they could do some damage on the inside. Jay would score 7 but Fairlawn lead 23-12 after one.

To open the second period the Jets Scott Heckman was fouled and already they were in the one and bonus. TV was able to throw the ball over the top to Jay for two consecutive scores but then he would pick up his 3rd foul with about 4 minutes left in the quarter. This left the Patriots with both big men in foul trouble as Quinn also ending up being on the wrong end of calls. Fairlawn continued their 3-point assault and led 41-27 at the half.

To start the third quarter Lindamood made a spectacular catch and reverse lay-up off an alley-oop pass from Foreman. Quinn scored two inside and the lead was 43-31. Tri-Village was still hampered by turnovers allowing the Jets and Andy Francis to go to work as he would score 12 in the quarter and their lead was 56-39.

In the final stanza the Patriots kept plugging away. Jay back in the game scored two inside followed by a Lindamood trey and the score was 58-44. Francis continued his assault scoring back to back a deuce and trey to jump up 63-46 and it looked like the game might be out of reach. But at 4:47 Lindamood pulled up for a trey and was fouled converting it into a 4-point play. Freshman Logan Brubaker seeing his first varsity action was fouled and went to the line for a one in bonus sinking both and now TV was down 63-52 and within striking distance.

With 2:31 to play Foreman was fouled making his first free throw. The second attempt was rebounded by Jay and on the stickback he was fouled but missed the charity toss and TV was just down by ten - 67-57. The Patriots refused to go away quietly and a big trey by Fisherback at 1:10 brought them within 6 points 68-62. Forced to foul the rest of the way out Fairlawn would win the game at the line taking a 74-64 win.

For the game the Patriots were 10-21 from the line while the Jets were 18-31 but missed many critical free throws down the stretch giving the Patriots opportunities to get back in the game. The Jets had 10 treys for the game, 7 by shooting 60% from behind the arch in the first half. The Patriots dropped in 6 treys, Lindamood 4 and Fisherback 2.

When asked about our record by a Fairlawn administrator, he said, “your team is 1-5, how? “You have some talented players.” Reflecting back it would be easy to say the schedule was tough playing Ansonia, National Trail, Fort Recovery and Fairlawn. This team does have talent but… in order to win games they must reduce turnovers, convert free throws and come mentally prepared ready to play for an entire game.

The schedule doesn’t get easier with last year’s state champion St. Henry, state runner-up Versailles and league foes like National Trail, Covington and Twin Valley South. No need to look back just look forward and Good Luck Patriots!

Box Score
Tri-Village Patriots
# 4 – Pipenger – 0
# 5 – Fisherback – 9
#15 – Foreman – 2
#24 – L. Brubaker - 2
#32 – Snyder – 6
#33 – Quinn – 4
#35 – Lindamood – 22
#50 – Jay - 19
Totals – 64

Fairlawn Jets
# 3 – Heckman– 14
# 4 – Henman – 13
#12 – Jones –1
#21 – Slonkosky– 4
#22 – Francis – 30
#23 – Beard – 11
#40 – Benseman – 1
Totals – 74

Score by quarters:
Tri-Village – 12 – 27 – 39 – 64
Fairlawn – 23 – 41 – 56 - 74