COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On Friday night, Fisher Catholic secured the Division IV district championship for the first time since 2008 with a victory over Mount Gilead. Four consecutive free throws from junior Jayda Dixon and a fifth from junior Ava Albert sealed the game late in the fourth quarter. Junior Ellie Bruce led the Irish with 19 and Dixon added 14 en route to a 51-42 win. 

After a slow start to the game, senior Averie Bruce ignited Fisher Catholic’s offense. Dixon and Albert each drained a three pointer and the Irish were out to an 8-0 lead. Senior Madilyn Elson finally put Mount Gilead on the board with a three pointer with just under four minutes to play in the quarter. 

Dixon responded with a two point basket but senior Lydia Stalnaker drained a three to cut the Fisher Catholic lead to four points. E. Bruce connected for two to push the lead to six with minimal time left in the frame. Elson made back-to-back baskets for the Indians to give them some life before the end of the first quarter. After one, Fisher Catholic led 12-10. 

In the second, Dixon and Elson picked up right where they left off. Dixon drained a three pointer and Elson responded with a three of her own. Elson continued her hot streak, adding a layup, tying the game at 15 with 6:41 to play in the quarter. Dixon added another two point basket to break the tie but junior Aubrey Thomas made two free throws to tie the game yet again. 

Junior Voni Bethel drained a three pointer for Fisher Catholic with hopes to swing the momentum in their favor, but senior Candace Millisor had other plans. Her basket pulled the Indians within one point and a bucket by Elson pushed Mount Gilead ahead for the first time in the game. A two by Stalnaker pushed the lead to three before A. Bruce responded with a layin and E. Bruce converted a layup in transition to regain the lead before halftime. After two quarters, Fisher Catholic held a slim 24-23 lead. 

The third quarter started much like the first with limited scoring by both teams. Elson continued her stellar game, breaking the drought and stealing the lead back for the Indians. With 4:35 left in the third, A. Bruce pulled the Irish ahead, kicking off a massive run for Fisher Catholic. 

E. Bruce converted in the lane and Albert drained a three pointer to push the lead to six. Sophomore Olivia Long momentarily stopped the run with a layup for Mount Gilead but E. Bruce dominated at the rim, converting an old fashioned three point play. E. Bruce’s massive quarter continued with another layin, capping a 12-2 run in the third and pushing the lead to nine. 

Millisor drained a three to cut the lead and give the Indians a little momentum. On an offensive rebound, Elson sank a midrange jumper to beat the buzzer and cut the lead to just four points by a score of 36-32 with one quarter to play in the game. 

Yet again, Elson kicked off the quarter with a basket, cutting the Irish lead to just two points. A. Bruce responded for Fisher Catholic but Millisor drained another three pointer to shrink the lead to one point, the closest they would come for the remainder of the game. E. Bruce scored back-to-back baskets before Elson sank a three pointer. E. Bruce added another basket to push the lead to four (44-40), where it would stay for several possessions until she scored her fourth and final basket of the fourth quarter. 

Millisor made a layup but it was too little, too late for the Indians who were forced to foul on the next play. On consecutive possessions, Dixon was fouled, sending her to the line for two one and one opportunities. She drained all four attempts, nearly sealing the victory for the Irish. Albert finally sealed the deal with one additional free throw. 

Fisher Catholic featured a fairly balanced scoring column. E. Bruce led with 19, Dixon scored 14, A. Bruce scored eight and Albert added seven. Elson led Mount Gilead with a massive effort and 23 points. Millisor added 10 and Stalnaker scored five. 

Fisher Catholic advances to the Division IV regional final on Thursday, March 2nd at 8:00 pm versus the winner of Reedsville Eastern and Portsmouth Notre Dame.