WACO – It’s been five years since the Fairfield girls basketball team missed the UIL state tournament.
For four consecutive years (2020-23), the Lady Eagles not only made it to the state tournament, but they made it to the state championship game – winning two of those times. For the first time since 2019, however, Fairfield will not be playing in San Antonio.
The Lady Eagles were limited to 12 points after halftime on Saturday as Huntington rallied to claim a 42-41 victory in the Region III-Class 3A championship game at the Midway ISD Athletic Arena in Waco. With the win, the Devilettes clinch their first berth to the state tournament in team history.
While Fairfield’s string of state tournament appearances ended, its streak of region tournament – or region finals to be exact – extended to six. The Lady Eagles have been to at least the region final each of the last six seasons with 2018 being the last time they missed.
Fairfield (35-3) had the upper hand for most of the contest and led after each of the first three quarters. But the final quarter belonged to Huntington (35-6).
Behind a tenacious defense and controlled offense, the Devilettes were able to limit the Lady Eagles to just five points in the fourth. Fairfield was able to have one last shot before the final buzzer, but the halfcourt attempt missed the mark.
The first quarter was back-and-forth as the teams exchanged the lead four times and tied four times. The Lady Eagles led 14-13 after the opening quarter behind 6 points from Blayke Brackens.
Fairfield outscored Huntington, 15-7, in the second quarter and enjoyed a 29-20 halftime lead. Jacelynn Schmidt had 6 points and Brackens 5 in the frame.
After trading baskets in the opening minute of the third quarter, the Devilettes began their comeback. Huntington scored 13 unanswered points – 8 from Kyla Anderson and 5 from Jesie Rogers – to rally for a 35-31 lead.
In the final minute of the third, Kaylee Williams answered for the Lady Eagles. The sophomore guard knocked down a pair of free throws and hit a 3-pointer to give her team a 36-35 lead heading into the fourth.
But the Devilettes opened the final stanza on a 7-2 run behind a pair of layups from Anderson and a 3-pointer from Lexi Litton. The only offense that Fairfield was able to muster in the fourth was a layup from Lillian McBean, a free throw from Schmidt and two freebies from Williams.
Anderson, a Tyler Junior College signee, led all scorers with 20 points. Williams led Fairfield with 13.
Brackens also had 11 for the Lady Eagles, while Schmidt had 7 and Avery Thaler 6. Saturday’s game was the final high school basketball contest for four Fairfield seniors – McBean, Thaler, Charlee Brackens and Kristavia Nelms.