Lady Eagles posting early 3-1 record

FAIRFIELD LADY EAGLE point guard Joye McElroy runs into a little resistance on her way to the goal in pre-district action against the Groesbeck Lady Goats. The Fairfield high school Lady Eagles varsity basketball team dropped a decision to Class AAAA Ennis early last week, but is posting a 3-1 record early in the season.

"Ennis has a good squad back this year and we weren't quite ready," FHS head coach Tommy Fadal says.

"We fought and hung in there, and we will see them again down the line," he adds.

On Friday evening, the Lady Eagles hosted the Groesbeck Lady Goats and came away with a win.

In the Ennis contest, the Lady Eagles trailed 8-13 the first period, then managed just two points in the second period to fall behind 10-25 at intermission.

Fadal reports that Ennis ran a full court press with a kicker, their players are not only fast, they are big.

Fairfield was out scored 8- 12 in the third period and won the fourth 14-13, but came out on the short end of a 50-32 game score.

"They pressured us into 27 turnovers," Fadal reports.

Lady Eagles offensive efforts were led by sophomore Courtney Morton, 14 points. Miss Morton was 6-13 from the field and 2-4 at the charity stripe.

Others scoring were: Joye McElroy, 7; Raven Henry, 4; Kiresten Cox, 4; and Denise Brown, 3.

Rebound leader Kiresten Cox grabbed 18 off the boards, including seven on offense.

"She's about to get her rebound legs under her," Fadal reports.

Miss Morton kicked in 11 rebounds.

The Lady Eagles shot 35.3 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from the free throw line.

"This gave us an opportunity to see what we need to do to be an elite team," the FHS coach says.

Hosting the Groesbeck Lady Goats, the Fairfield quintet took control from the opening tip-off, leading 14-10 the first period and 29-14 at half-time.

"We played very well and had the game in hand most of the time," Fadal says.

The Lady Eagles were out pointed 13-16 in the third period and tied the fourth 11- all to claim a 53-11 win.

"We came back very well after the loss. I think halfway through the season we will find our stride and be pretty dangerous," the FHS coach says.

Leading scorer Miss McElroy tallied 14 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 50 percent on a pair of free throws.

"Joye had her best game. She stepped up with 14 points and had a great game," Fadal reports.

Others scoring were: Morton, 10; Barvion Wyatt, 9; Denise Brown, 7; Cox, 7; Sarah Linton, 3; Raven Henry, 2; and Sierra Henry, 1.

The coach reports that Miss Linton played well off the bench and refers to her as the "fixer."

Rebound leaders were Miss Morton, 16, and Miss Cox, 13. The Lady Eagles grabbed a total of 47 rebounds against Teague, 20 of them on offense.

Fairfield shot 36.1 percent from the field, making 22-16 shots, and was 33.3 percent from the three throw line, making 7-21 attempts.

The Lady Eagles junior varsity team played only Ennis last week and came out with a win by a 3-point margin.

"They showed great hustle and I am proud of the girls' ability to give an all out effort," coach Julie Biezenski says.

Fairfield out scored Ennis by a 3-to-1 margin the first period, 12-4, and added three points the second period to lead 17-14 at intermission.

The Lady Eagles picked up the pace with a 10-5 third period and coasted through the final stanza to win 31-28.

Scoring for the jv were: Olivia Gallegos, 7; Krystal Rischer, 6; Markeisha Cox, 6; Kalyn Caffey, 6; Jarmaica Brown, 3; Andrea Griffin, 2; and Kathleen Chappell, 1.

Fairfield freshmen cagers, who saw some of their number move up to jv, did not fare as well against Ennis.

The Lady Eagles fell behind 6-11 the first period and made up some of the difference in the second quarter to trail by three at the half, 13-16.

Fairfield dropped the third period 4-17 and won the fourth 9-8, but came up short 26-45.

"This was our first game of the season. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are excited about the season," coach LaDonna Brackens says.

Reaching double digits with 15 points was Andrea Griffin.

Others scoring were: Ashley McGowan, 5; Denise Washington, 4; and Jayda Griffin, 2.

Best defensive players were Miss Washington and Christy Harper, best rebounder was Miss Washington and best alla round player was Miss Harper. The Lady Eagles varsity was scheduled to host Teague early this week and play Tuesday at China Spring.