With the conclusion of a success volleyball season last week, the Fairfield high school Lady Eagles turn their attention to basketball.

Lady Eagles basketball is under the direction of head coach Stephen Heers, who was hired in spring on the retirement of Tommy Fadal.

Early tests for the squad are scrimmages last week with defending state champion Robinson and Madisonville, and the girls suited up for their first game early this week against Waco University.

The team hosts Waco Connally this Friday and heads to Ennis on Tuesday.

"I'm pretty excited about the girls right now. They are getting a lot done," Heers says.

"I'm asking them to do a lot more, defensively," he adds.

Defensive work is concentrating on integrating zone and zone trap schemes, getting away from some of the man-toman coverage the Lady Eagles have relied on in past seasons.

Offensively, the coach says the team is working on patience to set up and take good shots at the basket.

The Lady Eagles are ranked 10th in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches pre-season poll and are picked second in District 20-AAA behind Crockett.

Crockett Lady Bulldogs cagers are picked seventh by TexPrep, which did not rank the Lady Eagles. The Lady Bulldogs are not ranked by TABC.

"I'm picturing our district being pretty good," Heers says.

The team takes shape early with four returning starters, all of whom earned all district honors last season.

Senior post Kiresten Cox was a first team pick, junior post Courtney Morton landed co-defensive player of the year honors and second team selections were senior guard Joye McElroy and junior post/guard Barvion Wyatt.

Also back from last year is guard Sarah Linton.

Heers reports that his goal over the next 3-4 weeks is to put together a solid bench behind the starters. He will carry 10- 12 players on the varsity squad.

"It's a long season and you see how you progress," the coach says.

The Lady Eagles are scheduled to play 11 games and three tournaments before starting district on Jan. 8 against Palestine.

Tourney play includes the Grandview Tournament on Dec. 3-5, Fairfield Tournament on Dec. 10-12 and Whataburger Tournament on Dec. 28-30.

"I think we are going to get a pretty good test at the Whataburger Tournament. It's nothing but ranked teams," Heers reports.

A problem the coach says he is facing is scheduling games for the freshmen squad, noting that Athens and Palestine Westwood will not be suiting up fresh- men teams this season.

Without subvarsity games, players miss out on experience needed to move up to the varsity team.

Assisting Heers with the basketball program this season are Sally Whitaker, LaDonna Brackens and Dennis Johnson.