It’s up and over for two for Fairfield Eagle #4 Kolbe Branch.(Photo by Melissa Lee)
The Fairfield Eagles finished the week with a pair of wins at home. The closed out a non-district win and defeated the Palestine Wildcats in a pivotal district win.
The Eagles opened the week against Bullard Brook Hill. Jailyn Tatum scored nine points in the first half and E.J. Ransom added seven to build a seven point halftime lead. Brook Hill stormed back and took a lead in the fourth period. The Fairfield defense held them scoreless the remaining four minutes. Ransom, Rischer, Tatum and Oliver sparked a fourth quarter run en route to the 60-45 win.
The Johnson Activity Center was the host for the second district contest of the young season. The Wildcats narrowly lost to the Mexia Blackcats at home and needed a win to stay in the race.
Fairfield missed nine of their first ten shots from the field. Akeem Jackson scored on the first possession of the night for the early lead. It took some time for the Wildcats to get started as well, missing their first six shots from the field. The Eagles hit their final five shots to go on a run with scores from Kolby Adams, Ransom, and Rischer for an 18-8 lead at the end of one.
Rischer scored early in the second and Adams hit a long pass coming from a pass from Adams. Tatum took a rebound and went coast to coast for the score and forced a Palestine timeout. The Wildcats missed five of their first six in the period but kept the game somewhat close by hitting all eight free throw attempts. Ransom pushed the lead to double figures with a basket and a foul to close out the half with a 37-25 lead.
Fairfield came out hot in the third period with scores on four straight possessions. Jackson hit a shot and Tatum added his only three pointer for the game. Ransom scored off a steal and Kolbe Branch nailed a three. The Eagle defense tightened up and Palestine could only muster two of 16 from the field. The Eagles could have decided the game in the third but only made six of 14 free throws. They were able to extend the lead slightly to 48-34 heading into the final period.
The Eagles maintained the lead with the Wildcats in foul trouble. They went to the free throw line and again had some trouble scoring from the charity stripe. The Wildcats hit three three pointers to get to within ten but they could not get any closer and the Eagles took the 67-54 victory.
Tatum and Adams each scored 13 points to pace the Eagles and Ransom added 12 and Jackson scored eight points and had 13 rebounds. The Eagles made 19 of 40 free throws on the night and the Wildcats were stellar at the line going 20-25.
Fairfield got their 20th win on the season and lead the district 18-4A race with a 2-0 record. The will host the Madisonville Mustangs at the Johnson Activity Center on Tuesday. The teams have met already once this season and the Eagles won 58-51, but this one counts in the district standings.
