FLYING HIGH is Fairfield’s Kobe Freeman adding another two points. (Photo by Melissa Lee)
The Fairfield Eagles swept the weeks’ games at home to set up a final game in Palestine and a chance to finish second in the district standings.
The Eagles faced a Madisonville Mustang team and won easily 65-42 on Tuesday night. The Eagles won the game on the road in the first meeting 52-46 but were without the services of Jaise Oliver, who was on a recruiting trip. He made up for lost time with a 25-point night in the win.
Oliver began the scoring with a turnaround jump shot from eight feet and his night would take off from there. Koby Freeman hit a shot off a pass from Oliver and DJ Houston scored on a pair of possessions and the Eagles led 16-12.
Kadarius Walker returned to the floor for the first time in seven games and was instant offense. He scored seven of his 16 points in the second period, including a three pointer at the buzzer. DaQuann McWilliams saw some time in the second and scored off of a pass from Oliver and the lead extended to 35-19 at the half.
PLAYING A GREAT GAME AGAINST Madisonville is Fairfield Eagle ball handler, Jordan Gibson.
Jaise Oliver took over the show when he scored on four straight possessions in the early moments of the third period. Walker added a couple of scores and his second three pointer early in the final period. Fairfield closed the game with eight consecutive free throws converted in the 65-42 win.
Friday, the Eagles returned to the Johnson Activity Center to take on the winless Rusk Eagles.
The Eagles won big in the first meeting and scored a season high 77 points in the win Friday. Fairfield scored on eight straight trips down the floor in the later minutes of the first period. Oliver and Jordan Gibson scored on five of the possessions and the Eagles led 21-14 after one period.
Freeman, Oliver and Gibson continued the scoring into the second period and Keishaun Crenshaw had a couple of breakaway scores near the end of the half. The Eagles scored on eight of nine trips on the offensive end and doubled up the Rusk Eagles 42-21 at the half.
The Eagle offense went into clock management in the second half and Freeman scored 12 in the second half. Deandre Dixon added six points in the fourth period, including three consecutive scores, followed by a Crenshaw dunk to put the final exclamation point on the evening.
Fairfield had one of the better shooting nights of the season making 32-59 from the field. Freeman led all scorers with 24 points and Oliver had another nice scoring night with 14. Gibson added double figure scoring with 11 points.
Fairfield travels to Palestine for the regular season finale. They have clinched a playoff spot and an Eagle win will give them second place in the standings. A loss puts them in a tie with the Mexia Blackcats and it would have to be settled before postseason games are set.
(Sports Photography by Melissa Lee)
