Standouts In A Shootout: West Springfield vs. Fairfax

Last night two squads tied for second place in the Patriot district battled it out for their second meeting of the season. After winning 38-29 earlier this month on their home floor, the 13-4 Spartans met the 8-6 Rebels in a contest that would showcase lights-out shooting from one squad, and trouble getting even layups to fall from the other. The Rebels, with their red-hot shooting, led by as many as 15 in the third quarter and survived a late run from the Spartans to get the win, 54-49. The Rebels started two seniors and three freshman, one of whom didn't look like a freshman at all. Playing alongside two West Point commits in <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sam-mcnaughton/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sam-mcnaughton/">Sam McNaughton</a></a> and Melanie George, guard Elyse Autrey displayed great instincts and an understanding of court awareness of the speed and tempo of the game at the varsity level. She only contributed five points, but was the reason for one of McNaughton's eight threes. Down the stretch, she also had some great moments that slowed the momentum of West Springfield's comeback. She drew a charge and had a great mistake response after a turnover that resulted in the ball being handed right back over to Fairfax. The Spartans have multiple freshman of their own, and Rachel Dexter displayed her own talents last night. West Springfield has a lot of great length on the wings in guards like Lexi White and Maddie Grieve, and Dexter fits right in. She only scored 2 points on the night, but has already demonstrated the ability to score in her first season and is well on her way to becoming one of the Spartans' next top guards. West Springfield senior post Mackenzie Matheny poured in 27 in the loss, her sixth game this season with 20 points or more. They host South County on Friday. Fairfax hit 12 three-pointers on the night, 11 of which came from McNaughton and George. They travel to Annandale tonight and host Robinson on Friday.