A Season of Champions

After a dedicated season of hard work and perseverance, the Fair Grove Lady Eagles became State Champions following the win against El Dorado Springs.

The Fair Grove High School girls basketball team, coached by Jennifer Talbert and assisted by Carrie Green and Jeremy Faubion, won the State Championship title in an intense and close game against El Dorado Springs. The game took place on March 11, at the Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield. The game finished with a very close final score of 54 -52.

Head Coach Jennifer Talbert has coached the Lady Eagles at Fair Grove for the past 13 seasons. Talbert explained how the girls have taken ownership in their progress and improved in so many areas of the sport. She believes that each and every one plays a vital role in the success of the season. 

Talbert stated, “This group of girls was truly the definition of team. We have some very talented players and we were very balanced. That made it so hard for other teams to defend. Our bench energy was always incredible. We were all in it for each other. They truly embodied that all season long.”

The captains of the team for this season were Kameron Green (12) and Brooke Daniels (10). Kameron Green also happens to be the only senior of the team. Green commented, “It is an amazing feeling! A lot of athletes dream of this moment but not everyone gets to experience it. I feel so happy to have been able to experience it with these girls. Winning the state championship was a very special way to end my career at Fair Grove.” 

During the game, Brooke Daniels (10) got into foul trouble and seemed to throw the girls into a momentary panic. After being down by 14 in the second quarter, they were able to fight their way back little by little. At this point, many key players stepped up and got the job done.

Ashton Bell (10) and Camdyn Hart (10) helped tremendously with their quick ball handles while Kameron Green established a strong presence inside the passing lane. Allison Findley (11) had some game-changing offensive rebounds while they fought for the comeback. 

On the opposite side, Hannah Maxwell (11) and Abbey Green (10) put up useful defensive minutes against El Dorado’s best player, Macee Mays. 

Emma Padgett (10), one of the starters on the team, added, “After the second half we knew we were back in the game. Our motivation never let up knowing that we could be the first team in FG history to bring home a state title for our program and the community.”

During the second half, Kameron had some huge possessions where she scored to take back the lead. Padgett achieved eight rebounds and had three blocked shots. Although Taylor Green (11) and Shea Skouby (10) didn’t have much playing time during the championship, they were able to keep the bench fired up with the preserving thought of victory, according to Talbert.

As the buzzer went off, the girls became State Champions and finally achieved their dream that they’d been playing towards all season. Talbert said, “It was just such a thrilling moment. I was so excited for the girls. I had dreamed of being able to watch them celebrate that moment and it was so surreal that it came true!”

She continued, “It was so rewarding to achieve the highest level for a high school team. I was and I still am just so proud of how they worked all season to make it happen.”

Padgett exclaimed, “The last few seconds of the game were crazy and as soon as that buzzer went off it was like a childhood dream come true. We played as a team and we celebrated as a team. The excitement was a lot in the moment which made it hard to believe what just happened.”

After a season resulting in a record of 28 – 4, the Fair Grove Girls Basketball team have secured their spot in history as State Champions.