The Fairfield Eagles split the week and hold onto a playoff spot but the district standings tightened up as of Friday night.
The Eagles began the week at the Johnson Activity Center with a battle against in-county rival Teague. The Lions were a game back of the Eagles in the district race, both trailing leaders Palestine Westwood and Mexia.
Fairfield put aggressive defensive pressure on the Lion guards for the first few minutes. Ja’Kendrick Turner knocked the ball away several times in the opening period and that led to three easy dunks by Madden McElroy. Kavion Hicks and Kohl Collins grabbed key rebounds and the Eagles built a lead they would hold for the remainder of the game. Fairfield led 21-13 at the end of the first period.
The Eagles maintained the strategy for the second period and the Eagle offense took full advantage. McElroy, Collins and Colvert all scored in transition for the Eagle offense and Hicks grabbed offensive rebound and scored off of the missed shots. Teague kept pace for a while in the first minutes of the second. Senior guard Carter Stacks hit some key contested three-pointers and had double digit scoring in the first half.
The Eagles took a comfortable 48-35 lead at the half.
The second half allowed the Eagles to extend their lead. McElroy would finish with 23 points and Hicks added 11 along with double digit rebounds. Turner poured in another 16 points in the 92-65 win.
Fairfield took to the road on Friday night to Buffalo. Both teams decided to move the scheduled start time ahead to remain safe with approaching weather in the area that would put most of Texas in a deep freeze.
Donte Lott and Emmanuel Renteria had relentless defensive pressure on the Fairfield guards and forced turnovers that lead to quick fast-break buckets. Hicks had three offensive rebounds in the first period and scored six to keep the Eagles within striking distance of the shooting prowess of the Bison offense and the Bison held a 17-11 lead after one period.
The Eagles offense found a rhythm and held serve in the second period but they still lost one point on the lead. Turner hit three of four free throws and McElroy had two quick scores. Ignacio Avik hit three from long distance in the period on three consecutive possessions and took a 32-23 halftime lead.
Buffalo had more of the same on the defensive side of the court to open the second half and Avik and Renteria scored on the tough shots and Lott raced down for the fast break scores. Aden Gonzalez plugged the middle and turned away Eagle attempts to close the gap and Buffalo added to their lead and the Bison took a 55-36 lead heading into the final period.
The teams used most of the benches in the final period and the Eagles got a three pointer from Connor Colvert but they could only shave a few points off the lead and the Bison claimed a 70-55 win.
Lott led all scorers with 19 points and Renteria added 17 and Avik tossed in another 14. Hicks, Collins, and McElroy each scored ten points to lead the Eagle attack.
Palestine Westwood and Mexia continue to lead the district race. Fairfield, Buffalo, and Teague are all tied at 3-3 as the teams complete the first half of the round robin district schedule.
The Fairfield Eagles will have the day off on Tuesday and will host the Mexia Blackcats at the Johnson Activity Center on Friday night.
(Photos by Natalia V. Marsters)
