The Fairfield Lady Eagles took their first step toward a return to the state tournament. They dominated the Cameron Lady Yoe 89-31 in the first round of the playoffs in an interesting opening weekend.
Fairfield opened the week with the final district game in Teague.
The Lady Eagles began the game with a 19-0 run and led 19-3 at the end of the first period. They would hit their first five shots from the field with two shots from Jarahle Daniels, one of them a three pointer. Te’Yalla Simpson drove in for a score and Breyunna Dowell scored a couple of baskets.
The Lady Eagles continued the run in the second period with a 17-2 finish. Dowell led a personal 5-0 run and Emori Davis scored on a three pointer. Essence Watkins hit a couple of shots to complete the first half scoring. Laura Knight and Reagan Heggins scored the first five points of the first half and the Lady Eagles led 36-5 at the break.
Fairfield had the win secured and played reserves for most of the second half. Jenny Pina and Shadasia Brackens led a Lady Eagles offense that scored 20 of 34 shots in the second half. Fairfield would dominate the second half with 48 points and win the game 83-23.
Dowell finished with 18 points and Daniels scored 16 in the win. Knight and Jolee Haley scored seven points each to pace the Lady Lions. Fairfield, Franklin, Teague and Groesbeck claimed the four playoff spots in District 20-3A.
The weather caused a playoff game to go from Last Thursday to Friday afternoon at Bryan Viking Gym. The first playoff opponent was the Cameron Lady Yoe, making their first playoff trip in ten years. They would face a Fairfield team prepared for the long run and the Lady Eagles cruised to a victory.
The Fairfield Lady Eagles can score quicker than a computer can refresh itself, and the Lady Eagles scored the first eight points of the game in the first minute. Brackens, Dowell, Simpson and Daniels put full court pressure to full benefit with the first 16 points in the game and led 35-9 at the end of the first quarter. Dowell scored ten points in the period and McKinna Brackens added eight points.
Daniels scored two breakaway shots in the opening moments of the second period. Shadasia Brackens hit a three pointer and a couple of other shots and Daniels added a three pointer. The better part of the Fairfield effort was the defensive pressure that would only allow three points in the period and hold a 56-12 lead at the halftime break.
The second half was a mixture of starters and reserves to complete the time in the game. Dowell, Watkins, Shadasia Brackens, Daniels, Davis and Makensy Isaacs scored points for the Lady Eagles in the 89-31 win.
Dowell scored 20 points to lead all scorers. Shadasia Brackes added 19 points and Jarahle Daniels tossed in 17 in the win.
Franklin lost to Rogers 42-41, Teague fell to Lexington 55-45, and Little River Academy defeated Groesbeck 52-47.
Fairfield moves on to take on the Whitney Lady Wildcats at Robinson High School, however, weather conditions will most likely make changes in the schedule. We have said it all school year, stay tuned to an possible changes as the playoff run continues for the Lady Eagles.
