The Fairfield Lady Eagles are working to make their fifth consecutive trip to the state basketball tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The teams must win to advance, and the Lady Eagles have checked off the first two legs of the journey in dominating fashion.
Fairfield travelled to Robinson High School for the first round of the playoffs against the Rockdale Lady Tigers. Rockdale had to play over the weekend to determine their playoff standing and seeding. Their prize was facing the top ranked team in the state.
The Lady Eagles set the game to dominate mode early by scoring the first six points of the game in the first 20 seconds, with a win of the tip and scoring off two quick turnovers. The lead grew to 11-2 in the first three minutes, prompting a Lady Tiger timeout. Fairfield scored on seven of their first eight possessions and the last five possessions of the period and shot 13 of 15 from the field and led 29-7.
The damage could have been worse since the Lady Eagles committed 14 first half turnovers but forced 16 Rockdale turnovers. Kaylee Williams hit a three pointer and Blayke Brackens dished off a couple of passes or scores and had a steal and score. Delaney McGowan hit a shot coming off the bench and the Lady Eagle defense stiffened and only allowed five second period points and led 47-12 at the half.
Several reserves played along with selected starters and scored the first three positions with Jimilyah Nash scoring the first four points of the period. Fairfield hit their final six possessions of the period, with Addison Posey hitting a short jumper and a three pointer. Jaci Abram and Brackens finished out the period and the Lady Eagles led 76-23 heading in the final period.
Ciara Miles scored 22 points in the game and tried to give her team some momentum in the final minutes. Fairfield continued to match them in the final period but could not shave any points off the lead and the Lady Eagles would advance with an 87-35 win.
Avery Thaler led the way with 20 points and Nash added 13 in the win.
Fairfield advanced to the area round and would face the Mildred Lady Eagles at Corsicana High School. The Lady Eagles found the shooting a bit challenging throughout the game, but they would score early and play smothering defense and built a big lead and made it hold up throughout the game.
Jaci Abram scored seven points in the first half and Williams added ten in the first half and the Lady Eagles led 37-12.
Jacelynn Schmidt exploded for ten points in the third period and the lopsided score tipped more to the Lady Eagles side of the ledger. Thaler added six more in the paint for Fairfield and the Lady Eagles outdueled Mildred 25-6 in the period.
One of the Owens sisters scored 12 points in the final period and Mildred won the period 20-8 to shave a dozen off the lead but the result had long been decided in the 70-38 win.
The Fairfield Lady Eagles advance to the Regional Quarterfinals, the play in game to the Region III tournament at Hewitt Midway. Fairfield will take on the Rice Lady Bulldogs and the leading scorer in the United States, Seniya Burks (40.5 ppg). This is a rematch of the Region III final that the Lady Eagles won 47-43 a year ago. The site is the K. and Ida Wolens Special Events Center on the campus of Navarro College in Corsicana. It is a documented battle between two of the top teams in the Region and game time is scheduled for a 6:30 tipoff.
Update: The Lady Eagles won a nail-biter against Rice 62-60. They continue on to Regionals on Friday, February 23rd at Midway High School beginning at 6:00 p.m. Click here for ticket information.
