The Fayette girls made easy work of new Central State 8 opponent Eugene on Friday, winning the Falcons’ Courtwarming game by a wide margin, 67-23, to improve to 9-11 on the season.

The win broke a losing streak that extended to three games on the Tuesday before in a two-point heartbreaking loss to CS8 foe Russellville at home.

While Friday’s win was not close, Fayette coach Rachel Harding said it felt good to get back into the win column. “It felt good to work our defenses and our offenses really well. It’s a conference win, and we had multiple kids in double figures,” she said.

Fayette jumped ahead early with a 3-point shot by senior Oakleigh Hill, then sank four of six shots from the foul line for a quick seven-point run.

Lady Eagles’ sophomore Kyleigh Kliethermes traded baskets with Fayette, sinking back-to-back threes for Eugene against a two-point bucket by Fayette senior post KeBrea Fair to cut the deficit to three points. But Eugene would come no closer. Fayette rattled off 10 points to end the first quarter and scored the first 11 points of the second quarter to take a commanding 30-6 lead.

Kliethermes sank another 3-point basket in the third quarter. The sophomore scored all but one basket for the Eagles all night, leading the team with 21 points.

Fayette turned in a well-rounded performance with four players in double-figures. Leading the way was spunky sophomore Paige Vroman with a game-high 23 points. She was only one point shy of tying her career-high of 24 points.

“Paige had a night,” Harding said. “When we push her the ball up the floor, good things happen. It’s good to have kids in double figures.” 

Oakleigh Hill sank a pair of threes and both free-throw attempts on the way to a 14-point night. Younger sister and freshman starting point guard Eastin Hill added 11 points with three triples on the night.

Fair had another big night with 13 points and likely reached double-figures in rebounds (full stats were not available at the time of this writing). The senior is pursuing a mark of 500 career rebounds as the season’s final stretch looms.

“She’s only getting closer to that milestone,” Harding said.

For Harding and the Falcons, the win came at a crucial time, with two full weeks left in the regular season before the district tournament. “It brings us together,” she explained. “Winning does that. We get everyone involved. We look stronger coming toward districts. I think it builds our team camaraderie. We got a lot of people involved, and a lot of people scored. It feels good and everyone wants to come out of the gym a winner.”

Fayette remained home to start the penultimate week of the regular season. On Monday, the Lady Falcons defeated Class 3 Brookfield 51-36. On Tuesday, they hosted the No. 1 team in the state in Class 2, CS8 favorite Tipton, after the Advertiser went to press. On Friday, Fayette makes the short trip to Harrisburg for the Lady Bulldogs’ Courtwarming game.