Lady Eagles Punch Their Ticket to State Finals in San Antonio

The Fairfield Lady Eagles continued their dominance of playoff opponents and earned their second consecutive trip to the state final at the Alamodome in San Antonio this Wednesday afternoon.

The Lady Eagles knocked off five-time champion Argyle in the state final last season, claiming the Class 4A state championship. The 40-39 overtime win was the first in school history and the 2020-2021 version finished the season 27-2. They will take on the Brownfield Lady Cubs (28-1).

But first, we should recap the week leading up to the San Antonio trip.

The state quarterfinal opponent was the Lexington Lady Eagles at Viking Gymnasium in Bryan. Lexington made a run in the beginning, but the Fairfield defense was too much for Lexington and Fairfield won 65-29.

Shelby Ray scored early for Lexington and Fairfield quickly answered with a Breyunna Dowell short jumper on a pass from Te’Yalla Simpson to tie the score. Ashunti Cooper and Elexus Cooper kept pace with Fairfield and McKinna Brackens hit a pair of shots and the Fairfield Lady Eagles called a timeout five minutes into the game. Coming out of the timeout, Fairfield scored the next six points, Dowell in the paint and Fairfield maintained that six-point lead at the end of the first period.

Shadasia Brackens hit a three pointer and a short jumper for a quick 5-0 run to open the second period. Dowell finished with points off turnovers twice and McKinna Brackens hit a three pointer.

Lexington would hit only 2-9 in the period and were outscored 22-5 and the Fairfield Lady Eagles opened a 38-15 halftime lead.

Fairfield hit six of their first seven to begin the second half with McKinna Brackens and Dowell reestablishing their dominance in the middle. Ray and Cooper had three pointers in the third, but Fairfield added to the lead heading into the fourth period. Great ball movement and tenacious defense ran the remaining time off the fourth period clock and the Fairfield Lady Eagles earned a berth in the state semifinal 65-29.

Dowell had 23 points and 16 rebounds while, McKinna Brackens added 21 points, three steals, and three assists. Shadasia Brackens tossed in 13 points on the night. In Region one, Brownfield upset the defending 3A champion Shallowater 50-45.

When asked about the consecutive runs for the Fairfield Lady Eagles, Head Coach Sally Whitaker summed it up, “It always helps to have been there before. The run last year helped ups make it the expectation instead of the dream.”

The Lady Eagles advanced to the state semifinal to take on Region IV champion Bishop. They were coming off a 54-51 double overtime win against Skidmore-Tynan. Fairfield began the game with McKinna Brackens making two free throws and Shadasia Brackens hit a layup coming off the fast break. The ball moved quicker than the Lady Badger defense could move with it and the Lady Eagles remained in the lead. Dowell finished the period with a return of a missed shot and finished with a transition basket at the end and Fairfield led 18-11 after one period.

Fairfield moved further ahead with a big run to open the second period. Bishop hit a shot to draw within five in the first few seconds, then Dowell scored eight points in the run. Jarahle Daniels broke away for easy baskets. The Lady Eagles hit 11 of 13 shots in the period and outscored the Lady Badgers 22-8 and led 40-19 at the half.

Catherine Gutierrez hit a pair of three pointers in the third period and remained within 20 points. Fairfield missed their first three shots of the half, including their first three-point attempts of the game. Dowell scored three times, accompanied by baskets by McKinna Brackens and Simpson. They continued to move the ball quickly up the floor and added three points to the lead and held a 54-30 at the end of three periods.

Fairfield had a good lead and the trip to the Alamodome was in sight and the Lady Eagles finished the game with a nine of 12 shooting in the period. Each starter came out of the game individually to a rousing ovation of the more than a thousand fans attending the game. Fairfield outscored Bishop 24-11 and claimed the berth in the state final with a 78-41 win.

Breyunna Dowell scored 29 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Daniels finished with 18 points and Shadasia Brackens had 11 points. McKinna Brackens scored 12 points and dished six assists.
The Fairfield Lady Eagles will play the Brownfield Lady Cubs on Wednesday at the Alamodome. The game is scheduled for a 2pm tipoff. All fans should check ahead with the State of Texas reopening all business areas and removing mask mandates. Please make sure what the facility policies in place before arrival.

(Photos by Shae Garcia)