Key to Fairmont beating Centerville 69-62 on Sat., Dec. 22:

Tied 32-32 in the third quarter, Chelsea Welch scored seven straight points as part of a 9-0 that put Fairmont up for good. The Elks came within 61-57 with 57 seconds to go, but six Fairmont free throws in the final 42 seconds ws the difference.

Key to Centerville beating Fairmont 54-48 on Wed., Jan. 23:

Still nursing an elbow injury suffered two weeks ago, wearing a brace and about “80 percent,” Alex Henning was held scoreless in the second half until making a lay-up and ensuing free throw on a designed play with 1:10 to go to give Centerville the lead for good 49-48. She hit four additional free throws in the final 35 seconds and ended with 16 points.

Fairmont’s point of pride: It doesn’t get any better than Firebirds girls hoop. Fairmont has been to the state final four the past three seasons. The Firebirds have been defeated in the state title game the last two years, falling both times to Twinsburg. Guess what Fairmont’s mission is for finishing this season?

Centerville’s point of pride: Elks tied Fairmont for the GWOC Central Division title, their first since 2007. Their defeat of Fairmont snapped a 37-game GWOC win streak by the Firebirds that dated to February 2009. Football is king at Centerville, but the Elks girls hoop team is hoping to one-up the guys by winning a state title.