The Fairfield Lady Eagles had a week on the shelf due to inclement weather. They started slow but soon put the Whitney Lady Wildcats on ice in a 75-49 win at Robinson High School on Saturday afternoon.
McKinna Brackens remains steady while the Wildcats fall around her.
Fairfield got off to a slow start when Whitney broke the full court pressure for a quick 11-2 lead. Tabie Johnson played in the middle and scored six points and Caitlyn Panuco added five. Fairfield could only score free throws early and called a time out two minutes into the game. Jarahle Daniels scored a pair of three pointers in the remaining time on the clock and then the Lady Eagles took their first and final lead of the game on a short jumper by Breyunna Dowell. This would be the first of three straight scoring possessions to end the first period and the Lady Eagles led 22-16.
Emori Davis scans the court while moving the ball.
Whitney tried to stay in contention with a couple of scores from Daisy Rodriguez and Jaycee Green. The Lady Wildcats got into early foul trouble when Johnson and Panuco each picked up their third foul. Emori Davis scored on a base line drive for Fairfield and Charlee Brackens hit a couple of shots late in the period. Davis drove inside in the final seconds and dished a beautiful pass to Avery Thaler for the score at the buzzer. Fairfield extended the lead by three more points and held a 36-27 halftime lead.
Proving her determination is Sophomore Shadasia Brackens.
The Lady Eagles began the second half with a barrage of points that would turn the game lopsided. Daniels took a pass from Shadasia Brackens and hit a three pointer. Fairfield would go on a 17-0 run to open the game. Brackens and Dowell took advantage of defensive pressure and made some easy transition baskets, they scored on seven straight possessions and the Fairfield offense forced the fourth foul from Johnson and Panuco. The Lady Eagles scored 23 points in the period and allowed only six to open the score to 59-33 at the end of the third.
Freshman Addie Cox looks to pass over the Whitney defense.
Whitney matched Fairfield basket for basket in the fourth period, but the Lady Eagles scored on their final five possessions to take a 75-49 area round game.
Fairfield Eagle Shadasia Brackens is surrounded by Wildcats as she fights her way towards the goal during the Area Championship game on Saturday, February 20, 2021.
Breyunna Dowell led the way with 25 points and 22 rebounds. Daniels scored 18 points and Shadasia Brackens added 17 points.
The Fairfield Lady Eagles will take on the winner of West and Little River Academy in the regional quarterfinal. Those two teams met on Monday night in Conally and further details will be forthcoming.
Girls play Huntington on Saturday at 4:00 pm in Crockett. Tickets will be sold at the door, $5 and $3.
(Photos by Shae Garcia)
