Senior Night Success
Tuesday night was a significant night in the history of the Fordland School District. It was the final Senior Night that will ever be held in the current gymnasium. It was a fun filled night as both the boys and girls basketball teams hosted the Bradleyville Eagles, and both teams came away victorious.
The night got off to a good start as the Lady Eagles took to the court in non conference action. Fordland got on the board first with an Emma Trotter bucket and the Lady Eagles did not look back. The ladies was able to score frequently and hold Bradleyville at bay and after one quarter Fordland held onto a 13-3 lead. The second quarter brought on much of the same. The Lady Eagles held Bradleyville to just one point in the quarter while scoring 19 points of their own and took a commanding lead into the locker room at halftime at 32-4. Fordland came out in the third quarter and outscored their opponent 16-5 and went into the final quarter up 48-9. With the final frame shortened with a turbo clock, since the lead was over 30, Fordland cruised to a final score victory of 53-16. Fordland was led by Emma Trotter with 16 points, followed by Shelby Thomason 12, Kayleigh Steimel 8, Kenzie Haskins 6, Loren Bojko 4, Lily Kindall 4, and Riley Rippee 3. The girls will be in action on Thursday night as they travel to Hartville and a chance to win the Summit Conference title outright with a win.
After the Lady Eagles played, it was time to honor all of the senior athletes. During the celebration the school recognized all the senior boys basketball players, girls basketball players, and cheerleaders. The boys honored Trey Bellue, Carter Kindall, Owen Fore, and Isaac Vickers. During the ceremony each of the boys were presented with a poster size picture for both the player and one for their parent. The girls honored Emma Trotter, Riley Rippee, and Shelby Thomason. Each of the girls were presented a gift bag from their players. The cheerleaders celebrated Destiny Day and Robert Lindgren. The ceremony included messages about the favorite memory of each athlete as well as thank you messages to family and coaches as well as personal messages for their teammates. The ceremony allowed for many hugs and tears from both parents and athletes alike.
After the ceremony honoring the seniors the boys basketball team took to the floor. They picked up where the girls left off and came out dominating the guests from Bradleyville. Fordland jumped out to a 12-0 lead before Bradleyville got on the scoreboard. Behind 12 points of Matt Hart, 6 by Isaac Vickers and 4 apiece from Carter Kindall and Trey Bellue, Fordland dominated the first quarter taking a 26-6 lead into the break. Bradleyville tried to keep pace with the Eagles in the second quarter; however, Fordland was able to outscore them 12-10 in the quarter and held a comfortable 38-16 lead at halftime. Fordland continued their dominance as they came out in the third quarter putting up another 23 points and leading at the end of the quarter 61-26. With the lead at 35 going into the fourth quarter, this game also was greeted with a turbo clock and Fordland went on to pick up a 40 point victory defeating Bradleyville 75-35. Fordland was led in scoring by Matt Hart with 30 points, followed by Isaac Vickers with 26 respectively. Bellue finished with 10, Kindall 4, Ryan Hart 2, Karson Bahnmiller 2, and Wyatt Wheeler rounded out the scoring with 1 point. Fordland will next be in action Thursday night as they finish the regular season against Mansfield at home.
The night was quite special as this was the last time that the boys and girls basketball teams will compete on the same night in the current basketball gym. The Lady Eagles close their chapter of the gym with the domination of Bradleyville and the Eagles will close their chapter Thursday night. Fordland is set to open the 2024-2025 basketball in the new gym that was approved by voters in a bond issue. The night had a lot of emotion but in the end, two victories was a great way to cap off the long history of the outgoing gym. It is time to start new traditions in the new gym next season.
