Lady Eagles beat state ranked team

LADY EAGLES SENIOR GUARD Joye McElroy runs through heavy traffic on her way to the basket in a win over the Brownsboro Lady Bears who are leading district standings. The Fairfield high school Lady Eagles varsity basketball team battled their way back in to the District 20-AAA race for a post season playoff spot with a pair of victories last week.

Lady Eagles cagers beat the Palestine Lady Wildcats early in the week and defeated the Brownsboro Lady Bears, ranked first in district and sixth in state standings, Friday.

"I just thought it was a great victory for us to beat the top team in the district," Fairfield head coach Tommy Fadal says.

The FHS quintet is now posting a 4-3 district record, in fourth place behind Brownsboro, Athens and Crockett which all have 5-2 marks.

Of the top teams, Fairfield still must play Athens and Crockett in the second round of district, but the top three teams also have contests against each other.

The Lady Eagles came out on fire against the Lady Bears, taking a 21-11 lead the first period and holding a 35-27 advantage at halftime.

Both teams tallied 12 points in the third period and Fairfield won the fourth 13-7 to claim a 60- 45 win.

"We shot the ball well from the floor again," Fadal says.

Fairfield shot 42.9 percent from the floor, but is still struggling from the free throw line with a 34.4 percent average against the Lady Bears, making 11 of 32 attempts.

A balanced scoring attack which saw three players reach double digits played a primary role in the win. Leading scorer, with 20 points, was Courtney Morton, while teammates Barvion Wyatt and Kiresten Cox tallied 11 each and Joye McElroy kicked in 10.

Others scoring were: Denise Brown, 6; and Sierra Henry, 2.

What Fadal refers to as a "2-headed rebounding monster," Misses Morton and Cox controlled the boards for the Lady Eagles. Miss Cox pulled down 15 rebounds, including seven on offense, and Miss Morton grabbed 13, including eight on offense.

For the night, the team got 41 rebounds against Brownsboro.

Miss McElroy contributed six assists, along with double digit scoring, and stole the ball three times, and Miss Brown counted four assists and five steals.

Connecting on a 3- pointer was Miss McElroy.

The Lady Bears, on the other hand, hit eight shots from long range.

Fairfield had an easier win against the Lady Wildcats, who started the district season strong but have faded lately.

The FHS quintet jumped out to a 11-4 lead the first period and added 19 points in the second period for a 30-12 advantage at intermission.

Fairfield kept up the offensive pressure, scoring 17 points the third period and 15 in the fourth, and giving up seven and 10, to win by a comfortable 62-29 margin.

"I thought it was a great effort on our part," Fadal declares.

The Lady Eagles had three players in double digits against Palestine—-Miss Wyatt led with 16 points and Misses Morton and Cox scored 10 each.

"We are starting to get balanced in our scoring," Fadal says. "Anytime you can be balanced with five or six kids makes it tough on the other team."

Others scoring, and everyone cracked the scoring column in the game, were: Henry, 7; Kalyn Caffey, 6; McElroy, 4; Kirstie Brewer, 3; Brown, 3; Kristie Brewer, 2; and Sarah Linton, 1.

The Lady Eagles shot 47.4 percent from the floor but were just 36.8 percent from the charity stripe, making seven of 19 attempts.

"They are trying to hard. They need to get relaxed," the coach says of the team freethrow performances.

Rebound leader, with 12, was Miss Cox.

"Kiresten may be the best pure rebounder I've every had," Fadal declares.

Miss Brown provided eight assists and stole the ball three times, Miss McElroy had four assists and three steals, and Miss Morton had four steals.

Connecting for a 3- pointer was Kirstie Brewer.

Fairfield junior varsity cagers started out slowly against Palestine, leading the first period 9-4 but trailing 15-17 at half-time.

The Lady Eagles warmed up for 13 points in the third period to retake the lead 27-26 and added 14 in the final stanza to notch a 41-31 win.

"It was a great effort with hustle all around," coach Julie Biezenski says. "The girls played awesome and effective defense against a bigger team."

Reaching double digits with 15 points was Jermaca Brown.

Others scoring were: Mia Mayo, 9; Markeisha Cox, 6; Gabbi Jackson, 4; Andrea Griffin, 3; Krystal Rischer, 2; and Felicia Lopez-Simmons, 2.

Top rebounders were Misses Cox, Griffin, Rischer, Denise Washington and Trilandria Titus.

Against Brownsboro, the Lady Eagles jv trailed 9-10 the first period then hit for 11 second period points to take a 20-13 lead at intermission.

Fairfield was held to just five points in the third period, losing the lead 25- 26, but rallied in the fourth period to tie the game 33- all by the final buzzer.

In overtime, Fairfield jv cagers tallied seven points and held the Lady Bears to just a pair of free throws to claim a 40-35 win.

Scoring in double digits were Miss Mayo, 13 points, and Miss Brown, 11.

Overtime points included a field goal by Miss Rischer, three free throws by Miss Brown and two free throws by Miss Griffin.

Others scoring in the game were; Rischer, 6; Griffin, 5; Cox, 4; and Lopez-Simmons, 1.

The jv shot 61.8 percent from the free throw line, making 21 of 34 attempts.

Lady Eagles freshmen cagers played just one game last week, falling 16- 31 to Brownsboro.

Fairfield played close for most of the game, trailing 4-6 the first period, 10-13 at half-time and 16-22 through the third period.

However, the Lady Eagles were blanked in the final stanza and gave up nine points.

"The team fought hard until the end. I am proud of them," coach LaDonna Brackens says.

Scoring for Fairfield were: Christy Harper, 8; Ashley McGowan, 3; Emelia Adu, 2; Jayda Griffin, 2; and Dinesha Lawry, 1.

Best defensive players were Misses Griffin and Sarah Rhodes, top rebounder was Miss Adu, and best all-around were Misses Adu and Harper.

The Lady Eagles were scheduled to play at Athens early this week, head to Palestine Westwood on Friday and wrap up the district season Tuesday at home against Crockett.