Trojans' brutal three-game stretch ends with loss

Fairfield?s final game before winter break was not a pleasant one, as the Trojans fell to Class 5A No. 4 Cedar Rapids-Kennedy 77-34 on the road.

One positive note is that the Trojans held Lela Sellers, a senior and the Cougars? top scorer at 18.6 points per game, to 13 points. Sellers is a Division I recruit who is already committed to play at Liberty University.

Fairfield struggled from the floor, connecting on only seven of the team?s 33 shots. Nicole Buch led the way with 12 points for the Trojans. Sami Fritz scored eight, Kylie Kurtz had five, Mikaela Lunsford and Mackenzie Flattery each chipped in three, Ashytn Drish had two and Delaney Ridgway scored one for Fairfield.

?We knew this would be a tough three-game stretch [against West Branch, Pella and Kennedy], but if we believe these games will make us tougher for the start of the new year, then we will win a lot of games,? said Fairfield head coach Mick Flattery. ?[Kennedy] will compete for the 5A title. They have so many weapons that can knock down shots. [Sydney] Hayden leads their class in three-pointers and you could see why knocking down five.

?We still have a 6-4 overall record and 2-0 in the conference, but we need to be ready for Keokuk after break.?

Fairfield fell three spots to No. 8 in the Class 4A rankings, with Keokuk standing pat at No. 7. The Chiefs (6-1) will host the Trojans on Jan. 5 in what will be its biggest test of the season, with Keokuk having wins over Burlington (1-7), Fort Madison (3-3) and Mt. Pleasant (1-6). Keokuk?s only loss came to Quincy-Notre Dame (Illinois).