The Fairfield Lady Eagles won both games this week and clinched the District 20-3A district title. This hurdle is covered but the Lady Eagles have eyes on the third straight trip to the state tournament next month.
Fairfield made one of their two games with home game against Teague at the Johnson Activity Center on Tuesday night. The Lady Lions are in solid shape for a playoff spot with Fairfield and Franklin remaining on their schedule. Teague fell behind early and left little doubt that the Lady Eagles would get the win.
The opening tip went to Fairfield and McKinna Brackens whipped a pass to Breyunna Dowell for the early score. A quick steal and Jarahle Daniels hit a three pointer for a 5-0 lead. Shadasia Brackens, McKinna Brackens and Dowell turned up the defensive pressure and held an 11-0 lead midway through the first period. Great passing from Daniels and Addie Cox, in addition to a three pointer from Daniels held a lead for Fairfield. The first period scoring for Teague came from the guards. Sophomore Jolee Haley hit a shot and had three free throws to trail 20-7.
Teague settled in defensively and began to close the gap. Kori Pillette hit a three pointer and Reagan Heggins scored in the paint but Fairfield got six points from Dowell, a couple of them off the offensive glass and added five points to their lead heading into the half 33-15.
Fairfield broke the game open in the third period with hitting their first seven shots from the field. Both Brackens, Avery Thaler, Daniels and Dowell contributed to the 15-0 lead to begin the frame. McKinna Brackens had a steal and score, and the defense held Teague to a field goal and two free throws. The quarter ended with Fairfield outscoring Teague 25-4 and the lead swelled to 58-19 heading into the final period.
Teague was able to hit some shots in the final period. Haley hit three from long range and had a great pass down to Heggins for the easy score. Dowell added eight points and McKinna Brackens tossed in six more to close out the 76-33 win.
Dowell finished the night with 23 points and 14 rebounds. McKinna Brackens added 19 points, Shadasia Brackens scored 15 points and Daniels scored 15 points in the win. Haley led the Lady Lions with 14 points.
When the weather closed in, the Fairfield Independent School District was closed on Thursday and Friday. The basketball games moved to Saturday afternoon and the Lady Eagles traveled to Franklin to take on the second place Lady Lions.
Not only did the Lady Eagles hold serve with a dominating win, they exploded for their biggest offensive day of the season with a 102-41 win.
The game tipped and Franklin was in good position to perform and compete with the Lady Eagles. Daniels scored first and Maggie
Smitherman hit a three pointer to take an early 3-2 lead. Shadasia Brackens scored to regain the lead. Karaline Smitherman hit a three to hold the Lady Lions close, however, the Lady Eagles hit their first six shots from the field many by Dowell and Shadasia Brackens and all of them on the passing of McKinna Brackens. Fairfield hit seven of eight free throws and scored 34 points, however, the surrendered 20 points, perhaps one their highest allowed in a quarter this season.
Fairfield continued to score at will and scored on six possessions in a row to blow the game open. The Lady Eagles would go on a 22-0 run with Shadasia Brackens scored 12 in the period. Fairfield hit the offensive glass early and often and outscored the Lady Lions 27-8 and take a 61-28 halftime lead.
Ball movement was a step ahead of Franklin and the Lady Eagles scored on their first five possessions, two by Dowell and two threes by Daniels, and one by McKinna Brackens. Haley Fannin and Smitherman hit threes, but that was not enough to keep pace in a lead that continued to swell for Fairfield. Jimilyah Nash and Avery Thaler scored late and the Lady Eagles put up 24 points, while only allowing eight and the lead was 83-36 heading into the fourth.
The only mystery remaining for the day was if the Lady Eagles would top the 100-point mark for a game in district play. Dowell and both Brackens played the first half of the fourth period and got the score to 98. Shadasia Brackens had a steal and score, her 30th for the day and the 100-point mark was achieved with 3:30 remaining in the game.
Fairfield allowed 20 points in the first period and then allowed 21 for the remainder of the day, while posting their highest total of the season. They scorched the nets, hitting 40 of 62 shots and 15-21 free throws. Shadasia Brackens scored 30 points, McKinna Brackens added 21 points and six steals. Dowell scored 20 points and Daniels closed out the big scoring with 19 points.
The Fairfield Lady Eagles will close out the regular season on Tuesday and then the real season begins to earn their third trip to San Antonio.
(Photos by Ashlyn Garcia)
