Indians Drop First-Round Game

The Poplar Indians played evenly for most of their firstround divisional tournament girls’ basketball game against Fairfield on Thursday, Feb. 27, but the Indians fell by a 51-39 final.

After trailing by an 11-5 margin in the first quarter, the Indians improved their play in the second period. A basket off a rebound by Bailey Dupree, a three-point play by Braelyn Nordwick and a hoop by Dupree off an assist from Nordwick pulled the Indians to 13-12.

Fairfield’s Aubrey Schubarth reponded with a three-pointer, but a three-pointer by Saydee Archambault kept Poplar close at 16-15.

After the Eagles gained a 19-15 advantage, Poplar’s Mattie Ayers connected on a three-point shot. Fairfield held on for a 21-18 half-time advantage.

Poplar pulled even on a three-pointer by Cammie Martell with 6:31 left in the third quarter. Two minutes later, another long shot by Martell gave the Indians a 2625 lead.

Poplar accounted for five straight points later in the quarter on a pair of free throws by Dupree and a three-pointer by Martell for a 31-28 lead. The quarter ended in a 31-31 deadlock.

After the Eagles struck for the first four points of the fourth quarter, Poplar answered with drives by Dupree and Ayers.

Fairfield’s Natalie Harrell scored the next five points, but a basket and two free throws by Nordwick kept the Indians close at 40-39 with 3:41 to play.

Fairfield’s free throw shooting led the squad to the game’s next 12 points for a 49-39 advantage with only 19 seconds left.

Poplar’s top scorers were Martell with 12, Dupree with 10 and Nordwick with nine points. Also scoring were Ayers with five and Archambault with three.

Leading Fairfield’s attack were Harrell with 17, Kenzie Allen with 11 and Cassidy Rasmussen with 11 points.