What began a year ago with a disappointing loss on the floor of Sam Houston State to Hardin-Jefferson, culminated in an overtime win over the Argyle Eagles, a team trying to win their sixth straight title.
The Argyle Eagles were making their seventh consecutive appearance with the six titles and they came into the game a heavy favorite in the state final with their seniors having never lost a playoff game (41-0).
Argyle began the game with the lead and continued to extend the lead throughout the first quarter. Senior Ryhle McKinney, an SMU signee, hit a jumper in the paint and after a rebound, she hit a three pointer to prompt a quick Fairfield timeout. Breyunna Dowell hit a shot on a lead pass from Jarahle Daniels, and McKinney hit another three pointer for an 8-2 lead. Freshman Madi Lumsden hit a three with just under two minutes remaining in the first period and only a Te’Yalla Simpson hit one of two free throws and Argyle led 16-3 after one period.
Bailey Timmons hit on a drive to the basket to extend the lead to a game high 15 points at 18-3 and Bossier scored on a short jumper and was fouled. She added the free throw for the three-point play and Fairfield trailed 18-6. McKinna Brackens hit on a drive into the paint but was quickly answered by McKinney. Jada Clark was fouled on two straight trips and hit three of four free throws. Brooklyn Carl hit a three pointer from the top for the fifth from long distance in the half and it would be the last three pointer they would hit on the night. McKinney controlled the clock for the final shot in the final minute and with two seconds left, she hit a short jumper for the 25-11 lead at the half.
It took almost two minutes and Fairfield put the first points up in the half. Emori Davis made her first appearance in the game and had a drive to the basket that fell short. She was fouled on the next possession but her presence sparked the Fairfield defense. “We needed a game changer,” stated Bossier after the game, “our team had the confidence that she could come in a spark our team and we wanted her to know that. She really put our team back in the game with her aggressiveness.” McKinna Brackens scored on a pass from Daniels and McKinney answered to build the lead back to 14. Fairfield went a 9-0 run to cut into the lead with patient defense and timely shooting. Brackens finished the offensive set with scores and Bossier scored and added a free throw to cut the lead to 27-22, forcing an Argyle timeout.
The scoring run continued into the fourth period. Bossier hit a short jumper to cut the lead to 27-24. The 1-2-2 half court press forced eight second half turnovers by Argyle and only nine points. Rachel Field scored to extend the lead back to five points. Kayelee Adams took a pass from Daniels and drained a three-pointer from the baseline to cut the lead to 29-27. McKinney countered with a three and then McKinna Brackens scored on the drive to the basket and was fouled. She converted on the free throw and the Lady Eagles had cut the Argyle lead to 31-30. McKinney hit a short jumper, which is her signature move, from 15 feet to put her team up 33-30 with 4:40 remaining in regulation. Argyle began cross court pass to make Fairfield work to get to the ball and Carl lost the ball out of bounds.
McKinna Brackens and the Fairfield offense pushed the ball forward and Adams dumped a pass for Brackens and she scored with 2:08 remaining and the separation was again one point at 33-32. McKinney made one of two free throws with 12 seconds remaining and McKinna Brackens took the rebound off the glass and raced up the far sideline and dropped in the shot to tie the score at 34-34 and the game would head for overtime.
“We used a similar game plan from the Hardin-Jefferson game (regional final) and we told them to take it one play at a time and keep playing with heart and determination,” said Coach Whitaker.
Bailey Timmons was fouled by Clark and hit one of two free throws and McKinney added a jumper to grab a 37-34 lead with three minutes to play in the first overtime. On the next possession, Daniels hit a three pointer to tie the game at 37-37. Timmons missed a free throw and McKinna Brackens grabbed the rebound. Bossier was fouled and missed the free throw and Argyle began working the time down for the potential last shot. McKinna Brackens had a steal but could not control it and Argyle was to throw the ball in on the Fairfield side with seven seconds to go. McKinney took the ball and Clark stole the ball on the sideline and raced toward the basket and sidestepped Carl, who stepped to take the foul but was called for the block as the ball bounced twice on the rim and dropped in. She banked in the foul shot and the Fairfield Lady Eagles took a 40-37 lead, their only lead of the game.
McKinney drove the length of the court and was fouled on a stumbling three-point attempt. She stepped up and hit the first two shots, cutting the lead to 40-39 with 2.5 seconds remaining. Her third free throw was flat and bounced off the front of the rim. She got the rebound but the last second shot but it fell short and the Fairfield Lady Eagles held on for the victory, having led only seven seconds in the entire game.
Rhyle McKinney led all scorers with 25 points and Coach Whitaker added this after the game, “It seems like we face a team that has a star that can take over a game, well, I am honored to have 12 of them, and they earned this.”
McKinney and Carl were named to the all-tournament team and Jada Clark and Braden Bossier also earned spots on the team. McKinna Brackens completed the weekend with two double doubles and earn the Most Valuable Player honors.
When asked about her seniors, Clark, Adams, Anayiah Larkin, Johnson, and Bossier, an emotional Whitaker added this, “we have five seniors on this team and they were freshmen when I began as the head coach at Fairfield. We have created a bond that will never be broken.”
Fairfield has reached the mountaintop of girls basketball in Class 4A and will drop down to Class 3A over the next two season, so the Fairfield Lady Eagles will resume flight next fall in the 2020-2021 season.
(Sports Photography by Melissa Lee)
