Springboro scores big win against Fairborn

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12:25 AM Thursday, February 9, 2012

By Greg Billing

Staff Writer

SPRINGBORO — Midway through a fourth quarter quickly getting away from his team, Fairborn High School girls basketball coach Steve Hannaford turned to his bench and said, “They’re just playing with us now.”

Indeed, it was game on for the Springboro Panthers.

Springboro capped its Senior Night celebration Wednesday with a 52-30 win over Fairborn, clinching its fourth Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division title in six seasons.

The Panthers outscored the Skyhawks 14-5 in the third quarter — thanks in part to a trio of 3-pointers and aggressive defense — to break open a game tied 15-15 at the half.

Springboro (17-1, 9-0 GWOC) outscored Fairborn 37-15 in the second half in a matchup of two of the teams in the GWOC.

“After last year a lot is expected of us,” said Springboro senior Jordan Trimarco, who led the Panthers with 16 points. “We don’t want to disappoint, so I guess we have a lot of pressure on our shoulders.”

Fairborn (16-3, 7-2) led most of the first half by as many as four points. But Springboro’s 1-3-1 zone to open the second half stalled the Skyhawks’ patient offense.

“We wanted to take the shot we wanted to take,” said Hannaford, noting his team “launched the ball too quick” in the teams’ first meeting on Dec. 21.

In that game — a 45-35 Springboro win — Fairborn led 20-13 at the half only to get outscored 18-5 in the third quarter.

Fairborn junior Alexis Gassion (11 points) and senior Brooklyn Pumroy (nine points) combined to average 31.5 entering the game.

“Gassion and Pumroy, there’s only so much you can do to guard them,” Trimarco said. “They are two amazing players and you have to respect them. By slowing them down it definitely allowed us to stay in the game.”

Junior Jenny DeGraaf added 11 points and contributed to Springboro’s unofficial 38-23 advantage on the boards.

“They’re all tough but you can’t let it linger,” said Hannaford. “You have to put it behind you. ... We’ll watch the film, address our weaknesses and get ready for the next game.”

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