The Fairfield Eagles jumped out to a double digit lead and coasted to a district win over the Elkhart Elks on Friday night at the Johnson Activity Center.
The week and the weather were altered when ice and sleet caused the Tuesday game to be moved. After a couple of options and another couple of days with no school, the game in Mexia will be made up on Monday evening.
Both teams began slowly, and the score was 2-2 midway through the first period. Early turnovers and tenacious defense kept the Elks off of the scoreboard. Jy’ren Canady passed to Pierre Algood for a short jumper and the Eagles took a lead the would not give up the remainder of the contest. Canady and Bean added scores and George Zimmerman added the first of four three pointers in the contest to build a 12-5 lead.
The Elks hit a shot from long distance at the buzzer to cut the lead to 12-8 at the end of the period.
Jacorey Daniels scored on the first possession of the second period and Canady added a long three pointer. Algood grabbed a ball from the Elks at midcourt and sliced his way through for the score and the lead expanded to 19-8. Canady added his second three pointer of the period and Camren Daniels scored off of an offensive rebound. Bean finished off the period with a basket and the Eagles led 28-13 at the half.
Daniels tipped on in at the beginning of the second half and Algood passed to Daniels on two consecutive trips for scores and the lead went to 34-13. Bean had a steal and score and weathered two small Elkhart runs for a 39-22 Fairfield lead heading into the final eight minutes.
Zimmerman had two long distance three pointers to open the fourth period to blow the game open and the lead continued to build.
Zimmerman hit 4-5 from behind the arc and Camren Daniels made five of seven shots for 12 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Canady finished with ten points on the night.
Fairfield (7-3) remains two games back of the district leaders, Mexia (9-1) and Franklin (9-1). The Eagles are in a solid position in the district but the Groesbeck Goats and Buffalo Bison are in a tight race for the final playoff spot. The Teague Lions lost to Mexia on Friday and it was damaging to their playoff hopes.
Fairfield plays at Mexia on Monday and then travel to Westwood on Tuesday.
(Photos by Payton Botelho)
