Fairborn is now 8-3 and 5-0 in the GWOC South with a two game lead over Boro (3-2, 5-4) and Miamisburg (3-2, 9-2).
The victory may have been the most important thus far in Nathan Chivington’s three years as head coach.
“Huge win, just a huge win,” he said. “Gives us a two-game lead with five to play in the division. Now we have control over our own destiny. Boro, Burg and Xenia (2-3, 3-7) all need help to gain ground on us.”
Fairborn has a group of juniors led by Kendrick Williams, Billy Jackson, Brad Hall and Tyler Wlazlo which were undefeated in the seventh and eighth grades. Seniors Bronson Marlett, Jamil Huffman, Anthony Pendergast and Tramail Kincade were on an outstanding eighth grade team.
Followers of Fairborn basketball hoped the junior high magic would translate to high school. But a 12-11 record in 2009 and 3-18 last year dimmed hopes of varsity success.
“It’s a big jump from junior high to high school,” said Chivington, “but you can see these guys maturing each game, understanding their roles, gaining confidence in each other, getting more unselfish on offense and playing good defense.”
Pendergast, a 6-2 forward, continued in his role of instant offense off the bench. He came in the game with 3:36 left in the first quarter with Fairborn trailing 8-6. He promptly scored 10 points in the quarter with three rebounds and a steal to give the Hawks a 16-8 lead.
The run he started built to 15-0 before Boro scored. Then Williams took over scoring 13 points in the second quarter including 10 straight. It was 39-18 at halftime. Boro could get no closer that 13 in the second half.
Williams led Fairborn with 19 points and seven assists. Pendergast had 18 points, seven boards, three steals and a block. Jackson had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Maverick Morgan, a 6-10 sophomore, had 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks shot for Boro, which has lost three straight.
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