Kettering Fairmont Firebirds girls varsity basketball team opens league season with victory

Kettering, Ohio – The Fairmont girls varsity basketball team opened its 2021-22 Greater Western Ohio Conference league schedule Tuesday, December 1, 2021. The lady Firebirds hosted the Northmont Thunderbolts at Trent Arena at Kettering Fairmont High School.

The Firebirds took early control of the game by outscoring the Thunderbolts 21-12 in the 1st quarter. But the Thunderbolts fought back in the 3rd quarter outscoring Fairmont 11-10. Despite losing the 2nd quarter battle, Kettering went into half-time with a 31-23 lead over Northmont.

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The Firebirds totally dominated the 3rd quarter by outscoring the Thunderbolts by 20 points 25-5. The 20 points 3rd quarter margin gave Kettering a 56-18 lead going into the final quarter. Although Kettering backed down slightly in the 4th quarter, they still outscored the Thunderbolts 12-6. The Firebirds 6 point 4th quarter margin made the final score 68-34.

4 of the 5 Firebirds starters reached double figures in the game against Northmont. Junior Forward #10 Serena Baker was the leading scorer with 19 points. Baker was perfect from 3-point range with 1 3-pointer on the night. She was also 9 for 11 from the field. Baker also contributed 5 assists and added 2 steals on defense. She was also the Firebirds leading rebounder with 11 on the night. She nabbed 7 rebounds on defense and 4 on offense.

Sophomore Guard #14 Kenzie Roark was Fairmont’s second-highest scorer on the night. She added 14 points and hit 4 of 9 from the field. Roark did not make any 3-pointers but did add in 6 points from the free-throw line. Roark also contributed 7 steals, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Both Senior Guard #15 Mallory Hullinger, and Senior Forward #21 Peyton Wells contributed 12 points. Hullinger was 5 for 14 from the field and 2 for 8 from 3-point range. Hullinger also contributed 6 steals, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Wells did not try any 3-pointers and was 5 for 10 from the field. Wells was also perfect from the free-throw line making 2. Wells also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and was the only Fairmont starter to be credited with a block.

Starting Senior Guard #12 Mari Carter also contributed 8 points on the night. Junior #42 Cierra Hupke contributed 3 points from the bench.

Overall, the Firebirds hit 26 of 54 from the floor for a 48.1% field goal percentage. They only managed 5 of 16 from 3-point range for a 31.3% conversion rate. Kettering had a total of 33 rebounds, 23 steals, 16 assists, and 2 blocks.

The Firebirds have now strung together 3 straight convincing victories to open the season. They opened with a 22 point victory against Troy and followed up with a 42 point win over Hamilton. Then in their league opener, Kettering outscored Northmont by 34 points. The lady Firebirds have outscored their first three opponents by a total of 98 points.

The Kettering Fairmont girls varsity team’s next game will be Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 1:00 P.M. when they take on the Springboro Panthers. The game will be at Springboro High School, 1675 S. Main Street, Springboro.