The Fairfield Eagles dropped a pair of district games but led late to show some bright spots under first year coach Donte Wilson. Fairfield played a tough Franklin team at home and found the road difficult in Mexia.
The Franklin Lions had minimal practice time coming off their Division I state final loss to Malakoff at AT&T Stadium last month. Devin Hidrogo and Jayden Jackson scored early to put the Lions ahead in the first period. Manny Brown and Madden McElroy hit three pointers to stay close and McElroy hit three of four free throws and trailed 18-13.
Jackson and Smith scored in the second period and hit four straight free throws to hold near a double-digit lead. Kohl Collins scored on the block near the basket on a couple of possessions and McElroy led the break on a pass from Jd’yen Canady. The Lions added two points to the lead and held a 31-24 advantage.
The Eagle offense hit a groove in the third period with seven points from McElroy and a fast break score from Davonte Alexander. McElroy ended the period with a score and cut the lead to 43-41 headed into the final period.
Alexander hit a three pointer to put the Eagles up 49-48 and Franklin regained the lead on scores from Smith and Hidrogo. Josh George hit a three pointer to close the gap to one, but the Lions scored on four of their last five possessions and connected on free throws in the closing moments of the 68-63 Franklin win.
The Eagles travelled to Mexia to take on the Blackcats on Friday night. Kyran Bedford led the fast break Blackcat offense early with quick scores. McElroy scored seven points in the period and was subbed out and did not return to the contest. Canady and Brown hit a shot and free throw to close the first period gap to 15-12.
Mexia scored on six of seven possessions in the second period to break the game open in the second period. Bedford scored five straight and Kel Collins scored on two straight possessions. Mexia would add scores of four consecutive possessions in the final minutes of the first half and led 42-24 at the break.
Canady, Pierre Algood and George connected on long distance shots and closed the lead to 13, but the Blackcats score with eight straight points from big man Hunter Fitch and maintained a 62-40 lead into the final period.
George hit two three pointers in the final period, but the Eagles could get closer on the night. Collins led all scorers with 21 points for the Blackcats and Fitch added 13 in the 74-53 win. George paced the Eagles with 13 points.
