For the fourth consecutive year, the Fairfield Lady Eagles knocked-off the Hitchcock Lady Bulldogs in the Regional Semifinals. This year, the Lady Eagles took a 46-33 win over the Lady Bulldogs at Conroe High School on Tuesday night, Feb. 18, to advance to the Regional Championship.
When asked about defeating Hitchcock for the fourth straight year, Coach Sally Whitaker said, “It’s really hard to continue to be successful after having to play the same team year after year, so I am proud of our team for being able to handle success.” Hitchcock came out and battled it out with Fairfield in the first quarter as the Lady Eagles led 17-13 after the first quarter of play.
The Lady Eagles put 14 points on the board in the second quarter and held the Lady Bulldogs to just a basket and a pair of free throws to increase their lead to 3117 at halftime.
The third quarter was a defensive battle up and down the court as Fairfield only managed to score six points and Hitchcock 4 points, making it a 37-21 game going into the final quarter of play.
The Lady Bulldogs were not going to give up though as they fought back in the fourth quarter. Hitchcock got within eight points of Fairfi eld, 40-32. Due to time running out, the Lady Bulldogs had to foul as the Lady Eagles added six more points from the free throw line to increase their lead and to bring home a 46-33 victory.
“We struggled in the second half against Hitchcock, but we still managed to hold on,” Whitaker said. “This team has a ton of heart and determination to win.”
Jimilyah Nash led the way for Fairfield with 14 points. Jaci Abram added 11 points, Blayke Brackens 9, Jacelynn Schmidt 6, Kaylee Williams and Kole Brackens 2 each, and KeKe Alexander and Delaney McGowan 1 apiece.
Fairfield will take on the Little River Academy Lady Bees in the Regional Championship on Friday night, Feb. 21, at Waco Midway at 6:30 p.m. for a chance to advance to State.
When asked about making it to the Regional Championship for the seventh consecutive year, Whitaker said, “It is always our goal to give ourselves the opportunity to compete at the state level. We have that chance again, so we want to take advantage of the opportunity.”
