The Fairfield Lady Eagles held the Mexia Ladycats to ten first half points and dominated the showdown of ranked teams in a 63-27 win as the teams near the completion of the first set of games.

Fairfield has been the state’s top ranked 3A team and the Ladycats entered the top ten in December and rose to the #4 ranking to set up the first of two huge district matchups.

The Lady Eagles put the defensive clamps on the contest from the opening tip. They ripped off the first 12 points of the game with Shadasia Brackens and McKinna Brackens leading a tenacious defensive effort. Freshman guard Kaylee Williams hit a three pointer and Shadasia Brackens was near double figures in the first period. Mexia post player Michaiah Miller hit a lay up with two minutes remaining for their first score of the game and the Lady Eagles led 16-2.

Fairfield went on a 20-8 run in the next eight minutes to take control of the game. Shadasia Brackens scored 21 of her game high 26 points in the first half and many of those came from the lead pass from McKinna Brackens. Avery Thaler had a couple of offensive rebounds, which were few in the first half on Fairfield hot shooting. Mexia mustered eight points in the heavy Fairfield pressure defense and led 36-10 at the half.

The teams played even in the third period with Fairfield adding two points to the lead and several reserves saw significant minutes in the very physical second where several players hit the floor after contact. Jaleah Davis hit a couple of shots in the third period for the Ladycats and Mexia trailed 50-22 going into the fourth period.

The Lady Eagles outscored Mexia 13-5 in the final period when Mexia would get good looks at the basket, but the shots would not fall.

Fairfield remained hot from the field and dominated the final eight minutes in the 63-27 win.

Shadasia Brackens scored 26 points to lead all scorers and McKinna Brackens added 13 points. Williams tossed in a double-digit night with 11 points and Thaler added six more. Michaiah Miller led the Ladycats with eight points.

(Photos by Payton Botelho)