The Mexia Blackcats and the Fairfield Eagles usually play one thriller after another, regardless of the sport. This Friday was one added to the classics.
The Eagles had two outstanding quarters and built a double digit lead and held off a late Blackcat rally for the district opening win.
Mexia missed their first six shots from the field and Fairfield only made one of their first six, an Akeem Jackson short jumper midway through the period. High had a baseline drive and Jackson had an offensive rebound and put back score. The long distance shooting took over in the final couple of minutes in the first. Kolby Adams buried three three pointers and Jailyn Tatum added another for a 21-12 lead.
The Eagles went cold for a moment in the first minutes of the second bur scored four in a row, Tatum had a short jumper and Jackson added a three. The big spark came with E.J. Ransom breaking away and had a slam dunk and a quick turnover, steal by Jackson, pass by Tatum and three pointer by Adams for the 39-21 lead near the half.
High scored 14 points in the third period to close the gap for Mexia. He countered with a dunk to gain some momentum and get to within eight of the Eages at the end of the third. Kolbe Branch hit a three late in the period for Fairfield.
Ransom hit his only three of the game in the opening minute of the fourth period. That is significant since it was the only field goal for Fairfield in the fourth. King hit a three to close the gap to five but that was as close as Mexia would get. Jackson, Adams, Ransom and Tatum went on a streak of nine consecutive made free throws to keep the Blackcats away and preserve the 63-58 win.
High led all scorers with 19 points and 20 rebounds and the Blackcats had only seven turnovers on the night.
Jackson and Adams scored 15 points each to lead the way for the Eagles and Tatum added 11 points and hit six of eight free throws and dished off seven assists. Jackson had 14 rebounds and the Eagles jumped out to an early district lead.
(top left): Shooting over the rival Blackcat players Jaise Oliver for the Eagle basket.
