BY JOEL SELLERS

FAULKNER SPORTS NETWORK

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Receiving votes Martin Methodist jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never let go of it as the Faulkner Lady Eagles lost their final regular season game 82-68 at Tine Davis Gymnasium Saturday. The visitors led 32-12 at the end of the first quarter, and were up by as much as 25 before halftime. The RedHawks registered a 56.5 percent mark on 3-point attempts, compared to 21.1 percent from deep for Faulkner. Martin also tallied 70 field goal attempts to Faulkner's 49. Additionally, the visitors scored 24 points off of turnovers and seven second-chance points. Martin Methodist gathered in 39 rebounds to the Eagles' 27 and won the turnover margin 23-18. 

Channing Gafford (JR/Athens, Ala.) and Ashlyn Adkins (JR/Locust Fork, Ala.) led the Lady Eagles in scoring with 21 points each. Gafford added six rebounds and three assists while Adkins had six rebounds, five blocks and two steals. Kayla Harbin (SR/Hartselle, Ala.) tallied eight points, five boards, five blocks, two steals, and two assists in the final home game of her career. Maya Gaston (SR/Shelbyville, Tenn.), also playing at home for the last time, had six points, three rebounds, and two blocks.

Martin Methodist was led by Brooklyn Blanchard, who racked up 29 points, nine boards, seven assists, and four steals. Faith Sherrow was the RedHawks' second-leading scorer with 12 points to go along with six rebounds. Lacey Reed scored nine points to go along with eight boards and three assists. Taylor McNairy recorded eight points, three rebounds, two steals, and two assists.

After the game, the seniors for the women's and men's teams were recognized on the court. This year's senior Lady Eagles consisted of Harbin and Gaston, as well as reserves Taylor Jones (SR/Montgomery, Ala.) and Maddie Nekola (SR/Belleville, Ill.) and JV team member Christina Blair.  

Faulkner finishes its regular season with a 17-13 record with a conference record of 7-9. The Lady Eagles will get an opportunity to avenge the loss, as they are set to play the RedHawks on Wednesday, March 5 in the first round of the SSAC Women's Basketball Championship at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in downtown Montgomery.