The Fairfield Lady Eagles took San Antonio by storm in their attempt for a back-to-back championship. They would fall to the Brownfield Lady Cubs 68-64 in overtime at the Alamodome.
Fairfield played in the Class 4A state final last season and ended the five-time consecutive champion Argyle. The game went into overtime and Fairfield won 40-39.
The Lady Eagles took the opening tip and grabbed a quick score on a Breyunna Dowell layup. Brownfield matched the score on their possession with a short jumper by Deja Johnson. The lead grew to 6-2 on a couple of turnovers by Brownfield. Gabi Fields hit a three pointer to draw back to within one and the Lady Cubs jumped out to a first period lead. Fields led the way from her guard position and Brownfield was ahead 12-8. They held onto the lead, but Dowell scored eight points in the period. Dabria Blackwell broke a 17-17 tie with a three pointer and the Lady Cubs led 20-17.
The Lady Cubs were the most talented team the Lady Eagles had faced all season and they held the lead through the second period into the halftime break. They took their largest lead of the first half on a jumper by Fields and the lead was 30-22. Jarahle Daniels and Dowell had big point totals in the first half to keep the game close.
Daniels had a ten-point first half and ended the game making all nine of her free throw attempts. Dowell finished the half with 16 points and the Lady Eagles kept pace in a 13-13 period and trailed 33-30 at the halftime break.
Fairfield made some halftime adjustments and take the lead.
Blackwell scored to extend the lead to 35-30. Daniels was fouled on two possessions and lined up and made four free throws. Dowell hit two foul shots on the next time down the floor. McKinna Brackens made a long assist pass to Dowell for a score to cut the lead to 43-40. Fairfield scored the next eight points from Simpson, Shadasia Brackens, and Dowell. Fairfield had turned the game around and lead 48-43. Brownfield would score in the final minute to trail 48-46 after three periods.
Daniels hit two free throws and McKinna Brackens drove in for a score and Fairfield built the lead to four 52-48. Dowell and Simpson pushed in scores to extend the lead to 58-50, the largest of the game. Brownfield went on a 10-2 over the final four minutes to tie the game at 60-60. The Cubs run was fueled by Blackwell and Johnson. Blackwell hit a three pointer with 1:34 remaining to get the score even and send the game to overtime.
“The momentum did shift in the middle of the fourth period. The girls battled, but Brownfield had so much confidence because of the close games they had been winning. We just could not hold them off,” summed up head coach Sally Whitaker.
Fairfield committed an immediate turnover for a quick score by Fields, her first points since the first half. She repeated the feat with a steal and score for the 64-60 lead one minute into the overtime.
McKinna Brackens had a nice pass inside to Dowell for a score to cut the lead to 64-62. Johnson hit a jumper to take the lead to 66-62. Daniels hit a shot to again get to within a basket at 66-64. Fields hit two free throws with :14 seconds remaining to set the final score at 68-64.
Added Coach Whitaker, “I told the team that I was proud of them. They have played in two consecutive state championship games, and that is an incredible accomplishment. They had a great season, and I am proud of the character they showed.”
Dowell led all scorers with 28 points and 14 rebounds on 12-20 shooting while playing all 36 minutes in the contest. Daniels added 19 points on five of seven shooting and 9-9 at the free throw line. She also played all 36 minutes in the game.
Fields scored 22 points, six in overtime, and was named the tournament most valuable player. Deja Johnson added 11 points and Blackwell would score 10.
The Fairfield Lady Eagles finish the season 27-3 and will say goodbye to the following seniors. Playing in their final game at the state final were Te’Yalla Simpson, Essence Watkins, Jenny Pina, Kaylee Billock.
(Photos by Shae Garcia)
