Girard 64 Farrell 55

Out to the House of Thrills in Meadville tonight where Girard and Farrell met in an exciting AA Semi-Final match up. Intense sums this night up best, from the passionate fans to the action on the court. The Yellowjacket fans were out in full force tonight including the G I R A R D guys (I hope they had jackets and hopefully BIG got a picture of them).

Girard took the opening tip. The Yellowjackets #54 McDonald started off the scoring with 2 points in the paint at 7:31. The Steelers turned the ball over on thier first possession. Girard's #15 Rickard scored the first 2 of his 12 in the first quarter on a nice jumper from outside. Farrell's #3 Holden answered with 2 of his own and started the Steelers scoring at 6:26. The next six points were rattled off by Girard's #15 Rickard. Farrell time out at 4:43, score 10-2. Farrell came out, took the ball to the hoop and was fouled, hitting only the first from the line. Farrell showed a press which gave the Yellowjackets a little trouble but they were able to overcome and lead after 1 with a score 17-9.

Farrell came out shooting and scored the first 7 points of the second quarter, including a 3 pointer and one. Girards's #54 answered with threepointer of his own. The Yellowjackets next possession resulted in an over and back call as the Steelers defense was intense. Girard hit a trey at the end of the quarter to lead at half time 30-20.

Girard opened the second half with a missed shot from 3 point range. The Steelers made quick work of feeding #2 Stubbs a nice lob pass - scoring 2 uncontested. Girard turnover, ended with the Steelers at the line for 2. Score 30, 24. Girard's #10 was called on a foul on a loose ball. The next points came from the foul line with Girard's #23 Ferrick hitting 2 and Farrell's #3 Holden making one. Girard turned the ball over again, finished by a nice layup from the Steelers. Girard called time with 5:20 on the clock, score 32-28. Girard didn't score on their possession, however Farrell's #3 Holden sank a 3. Girard and Farrell changed possession with no points. Girard then committed back to back turnovers on walking calls. Meanwhile, the Steelers #21 Jackson was hit with his 4th foul at the 3:31 mark and was taken out. Girard called time with 1:54 left to play, Steelers now up 32-33. Farrell was called on a charge with about 1 minute to play in the 3rd quarter. Intense. No points for Girard on their next possession. The Steeler's #2 had a sweet move underneath and finished at the line for one. Girard's first bucket from the field came as time ran out in the 3rd, with a nice dump to #23 Ferrick. The Steelers outscored the Jackets by 9 in the 3rd, but Girard was still up by 1. Score 38-37

Farrell's ball to start the 4th. #22 Johnson missed a shot from 3 point range but was fouled on the play. He made all 3 foul shots. Score 38-40. Girard's #23 Ferrick had a chance to tie it up from the line but missed both shots. Farrell had a huge rebound, took the ball down and #2 Stubbs hit a 3. Girard's #15 Rickard anwered with 3 of his own. Farrell called time with 6:08 left to play. Score 41-43 Farrell. Farrell came out and added to their lead with nice jumper from #4 Platterborze and the foul. Girard's #15 Rickard answered with another 3. Farrell and Girard both turned the ball over of their next possessions. Girard's turnover ending in a layup from Steelers #2 Stubbs. Girard time out, score 44-48. #23 Ferrick took it to the hoop and was fouled, however he missed the foul shot. The Steeler's #21 Jackson came back into the game at the 4:31 mark. Stubbs then hit a loooooong 3 pointer. Steelers up 47-51. Girard's #31 Droll nailed a 3 pointer followed by #15 Rickard adding another trey. Farrell turnover and timeout with 2:46 left to play, score 53 - 51 Girard. Farrell came out pressing and Girard turned the ball over. The play ended with Girard's #23 committing a foul and the Steelers at the line - only picking up 1 as the first shot was missed. Farrell was called for a foul and #23 Ferrick knocked both shots down. Farrell missed thier next attempt and Girard came up with the board. #23 Ferrick hit for 2 uncontested down low. Farrell turned the ball over and fouled on their next possession, which Girard converted into 2 points from the line, score 59-52. Although the final score was 64-55 this game came down to the wire. Farrell fouled towards the end for possession sake.

The Steelers were led by #2 Stubbs with 20 points while #3 Holden added 15 of his own. #15 Rickard led the scoring for the Yellowjackets with 29 with his teammate #23 Ferrick adding 15. This game was intense.

More pictures here. http://www.bigskinnyonline.com/GirardFarrell.htm