The Fairfield Lady Eagles clinched a playoff spot but have their goals set higher. They want the district title and an unbeaten record. So far, they have both.
The week started with a road trip to Madisonville to battle the Lady Mustangs. The Lady Eagles defeated them 48-46 on a buzzer beater by Josey Richardson in the district opener.
Madisonville jumped out to a quick start with a 9-0 lead. Sha’Kayla Burns scored a couple in the paint and Tylis’ea Roundtree scored on short jumper. Fairfield did their best to keep the game close in the early moments by hitting six out of seven from the free throw line. Joanna Zamora hit all four of her attempts and the Lady Eagles trailed 16-10.
From there, it was all Fairfield. Braden Bossier (pictured at left) hit a short lay in to tie the score at 17-17 midway through the second period. Jada Clark had a put back at the buzzer to give the Lady Eagles a 23-22 lead at the half. They went to the free throw line 14 times and converted only six, but it was enough to get the lead. Madisonville only made two of ten shots and two of nine free throws, so the Lady Eagle defensive pressure was more than Madisonville could handle.
The Lady Eagles hit six of nine shots in the third and outscored the Lady Mustangs 17-5 in the period. Emily Knight hit a three pointer and Richardson scored on a lead pass from Knight. Richardson passed to Bossier for another score and Clark had a steal and she passed ahead to Richardson for the easy score. Madisonville made only one shot in the period and hit three free throws.
Fairfield spent most of the final quarter running off the time and scored when they had the chance. Bossier was left open three times and she converted that into six quick points and free throw shooting finished off a 54-45 win.
Bossier finished the game with 22 points and eight rebounds and had five blocked shots.
Fairfield returned home to face winless Athens at the Johnson Activity Center. The Lady Eagles jumped out to a quick start with five shots in a row. Bossier and Richardson hit their first two and Kamri Griffin had a steal and a lay up. The lead was 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The post players played well in the second with more of the same. Richardson and Bossier along with Griffin and Carrington Roberts posted scored but the Lady Hornets scrambled back into the game with some hot shooting. Karlie Cook hit a three and near the end of the half, the Lady Hornets hit seven consecutive from the field and they managed to tie the score at 28-28.
Griffin took over in the third quarter and the lead stayed on the home side, although the game was close. Cook added a three and Athens hit three of four free throws and the Lady Eagles had a 40-38 lead heading into the fourth period.
Athens worked to get back in the game, but Fairfield had three steals and scores in the final period. Griffin had two and Clark finished the game with one and the Lady Eagles stretched the gap to double digits with ten of 16 from the free throw line for the 58-47 win.
Griffin led the way with 12 points and Bossier and Richardson each had 11.
Fairfield has two games remaining in the district season and they are over the next two weeks. They travel to Mexia and battle the Ladycats, who trail Fairfield by one game. They are off Friday and then face Palestine in the regular season finale.
GETTING PAST THE ATHENS DEFENSE to score another two points for Fairfield is Lady Eagle Braiden Bossier. (Photo by Melissa Lee)
