FAIRFIELD SENIOR GUARD Joye McElroy puts up a jumper against the Connally Cadettes, the final tune-up before the start of District 20-AAA competition this week. In a final tune-up for the start of the District 20-AAA basketball season, the Fairfield high school Lady Eagles varsity and junior varsity teams claimed victories over the Connally Cadettes.

Fairfield hosted Connally for the pair of games Friday.

The varsity win pushes the FHS record to 16-4 and includes tournament championships at Grandview and Cameron.

FHS head coach Tommy Fadal has had to craft a different style of team this season after losing district most valuable player Choicetta McMillian, good for 26 points a game, to graduation.

Instead of a hot-shooting guard, the Lady Eagles this year are controlling the middle with post play by Courtney Morton and Kiresten Cox.

"Our strength, overall, is rebounding," Fadal says.

The coach also says he is getting good play from penetrating guard Joye McElroy, a senior, and from guards Denise Brown, Sarah Linton and Sierra Henry on offense and defense.

Defensive specialist Kirstie and Kristie Brewer continue to worry opponents with their aggressive play.

Fairfield started slowly against Connally, trailing 7-14 the first period, then narrowing the margin to just a couple of points at 19-21 by intermission.

The Lady Eagles controlled the second half, scoring 20 points the third period and 12 in the fourth, while giving up 11 and seven, to win 51-39. Miss Morton led the offense with 20 points, while also grabbing eight rebounds, and was joined in double digits by sophomore Barvion Wyatt who kicked in 11 points.

Others scoring were: Brown, 9; McElroy, 9; and Cox, 2.

Rebound leader Miss Cox grabbed 11 off the boards.

The Lady Eagles shot 60 percent from the free throw line, making 12 of 20 attempts, and connected 44 percent of the time on field goals.

Notching the only trey for Fairfield was Miss McElroy.

In junior varsity action, the Lady Eagles took a 12-6 lead over Connally the first period and made it 25-12 at the half.

The jv added 14 second half points and gave up nine for a 39-21 win.

"The girls went very hard and ran the floor well," coach Julie Biezenski says.

Reaching double digits with 10 points was Olivia Gallegos.

Others scoring were: Krystal Rischer, 8; Andrea Griffin, 8; Kalyn Caffey, 7; Fruncheska Daniels, 2; Mia Mayo, 2; and Kathleen Chappell, 2.

Rebound leaders were Misses Caffey, Rischer, Griffin and Gallegos.

The coach credits Miss Mayo with good passes and Miss Rischer for free throw shooting.

Fairfield starts district action Friday at Palestine and head to Brownsboro on Tuesday.