The Fairfield Lady Eagles took two games and held their top spot in the state rankings and opened a lead in District 20-3A. They have the first round of the games in district play and maintain a lead over the Franklin Lady Lions and Mexia Ladycats.
The Lady Eagles opened the week at the Johnson Activity Center against the Elkhart Lady Elks. Jimilyah Nash and Brackens began the scoring with three pointers in the first period. Blayke Brackens scored seven in the period and Fairfield jumped out to a 17-7 lead.
Avery Thaler was not in action on the night, but other Fairfield players stepped up in her absence. Jacelynn Schmidt scored 12 of her 14 second half points in the final period to help open up an eight-point lead. Elkhart remained behind ten most of the mid-point of the game. Jaci Abram added seven points in the fourth period and the Lady Eagles would complete a 75-36 win.
Fairfield travelled to Palestine on Friday to take on the winless Westwood Lady Panthers. Nash scored the first two times along with a Brackens steal and pass to Kaylee Williams for the 6-0 lead so that Fairfield would not lose the remainder of the ball game. Schmidt scored off an offensive rebound and then a steal and score and led 13-5 after one.
The Lady Eagle offense continued to force turnovers and Nash hit a three and scored and was fouled to convert the three points play the hard way. Fairfield scored on six of their final seven shots of the half, one a three pointer from Brackens and the Lady Eagles held a 39-11 halftime lead. Anaiya Birdow scored on a couple of shots in the period.
Later, after Westwood shaved three points off the big lead, in the fourth period, Fairfield sparked a run in the opening minutes of the period.
The scored on six consecutive possessions, Delaney McGowan, Williams and Brackens led the fourth period charge and Avery Thaler and Schmidt worked the middle with scores. Addison Posey hit a three pointer in the final minute and set the 74-33 final score.
Nash led the way with 20 points and Schmidt scored her second double figure scoring game with 12 points on Friday.
Fairfield returns to the Johnson Activity Center to take on the Teague Lady Lions to begin the second half of district play.
(Photos by Natalia V. Marsters)