Basketball Game Preview: Gallia Academy Blue Devils vs. Fairland Dragons

Gallia Academy hasn't had much luck against Fairland recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Gallia Academy Blue Devils will welcome the Fairland Dragons at 6:45 p.m. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Last Tuesday, Gallia Academy earned a 47-34 win over Wellston. Given the Blue Devils' advantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 335th, while the Golden Rockets are ranked 674th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Meanwhile, Fairland entered their tilt with Portsmouth West on Wednesday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They claimed a resounding 72-31 victory over the Senators. The Dragons have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 12 contests by 30 points or more this season.

Fairland's win came from a few key players Gallia Academy will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Kamryn Barnitz, who went 9 for 19 en route to 24 points and five steals. That's the most points she has posted since back in December of 2024. Another player making a difference was Bailey Russell, who went 6 of 14 on her way to 17 points and seven boards.

Fairland's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 15-3. Those victories came thanks to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 22.0 points per game. As for Gallia Academy, their victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 8-10.

Gallia Academy took a serious blow against Fairland in their previous matchup back in December of 2024, falling 84-52. Will Gallia Academy have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other basketball content.