The Fairfield Eagles dropped their final two games and a district playoff and will miss the 2018 postseason.
Fairfield travelled to Athens to take on the Hornets in a must win situation to avoid a playoff game with the Mexia Blackcats.
The first period remained close but trailed by four at the end. Kolbe Branch hit a three pointer and Kobe Freeman (left) scored to tie the game at 7-7.
It was the first of four consecutive scores for the Eagles with Kadarius Walker nailing a three to lead 14-12. Matt Kohler hit two of four three pointers in the period and the Hornets led 20-16.
Walker hit a three and the Eagles took a brief lead at 21-20. Athens hit three of four with Kohler adding a three to put Athens ahead.
Freeman added a short jumper with 34 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 34-32 but the Hornets added a late score and they led 36-32 at the half.
Fairfield hit their first three shots from the field to open the third period. Branch drove in for a pair of scores and Kolby Adams had a steal and score to tie the game at 38-38.
The game continued on that path and Freeman drove in for a dunk and another tie 42-42. A pair of threes, one by Kohler at the buzzer gave the Hornets the 56-47 lead at the end of the period.
Fairfield could not get any closer and the Hornets closed out a 70-62 win. Branch led the Eagles with 22 points and Freeman added 13. Kohler led all scorers with 23 points.
The Eagles had the same 2-6 district record to finish the regular season, so the schedule was extended one game to determine the final playoff spot. The game was Friday at the K. and Ida Wolens Special Events Center on the campus of Navarro College.
The game began with hit shooting in the first period with shooting from Jaden Proctor and Davion Carter. Fairfield countered with four consecutive scores to end the first period.
Adams had two scores and Jaise Oliver scored twice, the second a three pointer and the Eagles trailed the Blackcats 14-12.
The Eagle defense took charge in the second period holding the Blackcats to 2-10 shooting. Chris Matthews and Proctor hit shots but the could not keep up with the Eagles.
Adams hit a three pointer an Freeman and Branch scored to open a 21-16 lead. Jordan Gibson had a put back and a pair of scores sent the Eagles into the locker room with a 28-21 lead.
Mexia came out of the locker room shooting and did not stop until the end of the game. During one stretch, the Blackcats hit six of seven from the field, two each by Matthews and Carter.
Proctor hit a three to separate the teams and gain a 48-41 lead and Travion Carter added another to stave off Fairfield hitting five consecutive to close the gap.
Oliver scored nine in the span of three minutes and the Eagles gave up the lead, but it was close heading into the final period 50-48.
The Eagles went on a 6-0 run to take their final lead of the game. Freeman hit a pair of free throws and a short jumper.
Mexia hit four consecutive shots, a couple from Gary McWhirter and Matthews with a couple. The Blackcats closed out the game with four out of five free throws and they won the game 67-60.
Fairfield ends the season missing the playoffs but will return with a young core of talent heading into 2018-19.
