Shipley’s girls’ basketball team traveled to Germantown Friends on Friday, January 11 for their second league game of the season. Returning to the Gators for the first time since injuring her knee in November was sophomore Brianna Ross, who helped solidify Shipley’s 60-54 victory.

The offense was clicking on both ends in the first quarter, as Shipley trailed GFS at the horn, 13-15. The Gators picked up their defense in the second and allowed only 8 points. Their stifling defense and aggressive rebounding allowed them to get out on the break for some easy transition buckets. The trio of Brianna Ross, Alex Davis, and Alisha Fairfax combined for 21 points during the quarter. Shipley took a 34-23 lead into the half.

The second half opened much like the first with both teams battling back and forth. The third quarter was dominated by the inside games of junior Alex Lennon for Shipley, and Marisol Mckee for GFS. Lennon scored 8 of her 12 points during this stretch, while Mckee led the way for GFS by adding 5 of her 18. The third quarter ended with a buzzer-beating baseline jumper by sophomore forward Joanie Thompson, to give Shipley a 52-39 lead going in to the fourth quarter.

Despite a big run by GFS, fueled by Shelby Tucker’s 10-point final quarter, the Gators were able to secure another win on the road. Tucker knocked down two 3-pointers and shot GFS right back in to the game. Shipley’s fourth-quarter offense came from sharp-shooting junior, Alisha Fairfax. Fairfax scored 6 of her 19 points and 2 clutch free throws during a dangerous GFS rally. Fairfax has seen her offensive production surge in the last four games, averaging 17.2 points per game, with 21 of those points coming from behind the arc.

Junior Maureen Gentry continued as a defensive stalwart, and held last year’s Friends League First Team member Nina Voith to only 9 points. Alex Davis also contributed for Shipley with her court leadership at the point and three 3-point baskets. Davis finished with 14. In Ross’ first game back since her knee injury, she put up an impressive 13 points in the win.

Scoring for Shipley: Ross, 13, Davis, 14, Fairfax, 19, Lennon, 12, Thompson, 2.
Scoring for GFS: Voith, 9, West, 2, Tucker, 16, Mckee, 18, Loder, 7, Smith, 2.

Sean Costello, Varsity Assistant Coach