Fairview High Boys District Basketball Champions

The Fairview High is buzzing with pride after the Yellow Jacket Boys Basketball Team won the District 11-AA Championship Saturday night at East Hickman. The win came with a dominating final score of 72-49.

For the first time in 21 years, the Fairview High Boys Basketball team took to the hard wood Saturday night to attempt to become only the third boys district champion in the school’s existence. The late Coach Wilburn Kelley led the Jackets to district titles in both 1960 and 1991 previously. 

The Jackets showed their strength throughout the tournament, starting with a huge home game win and wrapping up the title at East Hickman with the win over the Camden Lions.

According to FHS Head Coach Trey McCoy, the Jackets “stormed out of the gate” with a barrage of 3-point buckets, 7 in total, led by the hot shooting of DJ Estes, Bill Eads and Darius James. 

When the first quarter buzzer sounded, the Jackets had put up 28 points and held Camden to 10. 

The Jackets’ defensive onslaught continued for three more quarters, creating offensive opportunities with little to no answer from the Lions.  Fairview‘s stingy defense held Camden to just 29% shooting from the field while keeping all starters in single digits in the scoring category.

Coach McCoy said, “We really played a complete game tonight.  We held three straight opponents to under 50 in this tournament, but tonight the offense showed up to match the defense and the result was a team playing their best basketball of the season.” 

“It’s always great to win a big game, in this case, a historic championship game, but to do so in such a fashion that everyone had a part in it was truly special,” said McCoy.

He also included Jacket supporters in the victory. “Our fans really showed up in a big way. There were moments where you couldn’t hear the person next to you because our crowd was so loud.  The energy they provided for us was simply electric.” 

Estes started off the court action. “DJ really got us going, coming out of the gate shooting lights out and displaying his great drive and finish ability early.  I’m most proud of DJ’s defense tonight, holding Camden’s best player to 4 points on 1 or 9 shooting, just remarkable,” said McCoy. 

As for the District Defensive player of the year Darius James, McCoy said he “was not only the usual lockdown defender he is, but he really just imposed his ability throughout the game leading us in nearly every category.” 

Fairview’s Alex Jones demonstrated why he is such an asset to the team, blocking four shots, altering several others, and running the floor with high-flying tip-ins and dominant finishes around the rim.

Mason McGowan came into the game and went right to work in the post, finishing up a string of baskets with a near rim-rattling dunk and foul that had the fans and their volume taking the roof off the gym.

McCoy said Kam Harris-Lusk could be Fairview’s most important player “because he has a way of sensing what the team needs on a given night and filling those holes.  Tonight, it wasn’t scoring we needed, but a quarterback to keep it going on both ends of the floor.  Kam played lockdown defense while facilitating for the team on his way to 8 dazzling assists.”

Bill Eads, Sam Graham and Locke Hord got the most out of their minutes by hitting big three-pointers, grabbing key rebounds, and fueling the fire that was Fairview’s red hot offense. 

A magic combination, McCoy said, “My coaching staff was at their best. Our fans were at their best. And this team showed up and put in their best effort of the season in the biggest game to that point.” 

“We couldn’t be more proud of these boys.  It truly was a magical moment in time that will live in the memories of the people who witnessed it forever,” proclaimed McCoy.

Game Leaders

Darius James - 17 pts, 9 reb, 5 assists, 2 steals

DJ Estes - 16 pts, 2 reb, 2 assists, 2 steals

Mason McGowan -13 pts, 8 reb, 1 steal

Alex Jones - 10 pts, 2 reb, 4 blocks

Kam Harris-Lusk                  - 1 pt, 6 reb, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

District Awards

The 2018 Fairview High Boys’ Basketball teams becomes the third district champion basketball team in school history.  Jackets earning district awards include:

All District Team - DJ Estes, Darius James, and Kam Harris-Lusk

All District Defensive MVP - Darius James

District 11AA Coach of the Year - Coach Trey McCoy

District 11AA Tournament MVP - Darius James

All District 11AA Tournament Team - Kam Harris-Lusk, DJ Estes, and Mason McGowan

Next Up

The Jackets will enter Region 6 tournament play this Saturday, February 24, hosting the Rockets of Forrest High School at 7 p.m. at Fairview High.  Ticket are $6 at the door and this will be Fairview basketball fans last chance to see the historic team on their home court this year.

More District Tournament Recap

February 13

The Jackets hosted the Hickman County Bulldogs in the district quarter finals. The Fairview fans watched the action unfold as Hickman’s defense initially held the Jackets to a 13-10 lead in the first quarter.

The momentum shifted in the second quarter as Fairview hit their stride, rattling off 24 points while limiting Hickman to six. The Jackets held a commanding 37-16 lead heading into half time. 

The Jackets shot a blistering 58% from the field while their defense held the Bulldogs to just 32%. 

With the combination of powerful offense and unwavering defense, Fairview celebrated a 72-46 victory over the Bulldogs.

“By winning this opening round game, Fairview punched their ticket to Region 6 play and into the second round of district play,” explained McCoy.

Game Leaders:

Darius James - 18 pts, 3 reb, 4 assists, 4 steals

Mason McGowan - 16 pts, 5 reb, 1 assist, 1 block

Kam Harris-Lusk - 9 pts, 3 reb, 5 assists, 2 steals

February 16

Moving on to the district semifinals game, the young men representing Fairview High were on a mission to extend their winning season. The game lined up the Jackets versus Lewis County at East Hickman on February 16.

Coach McCoy said the Fairview team came out slow offensively and found themselves down as much as 8 points in the third quarter after leading by four going into half time. 

“Offensively, we just couldn’t get much going through the first three quarters,” commented Coach McCoy.  He went on to offer, “Over the last 12 games, we’ve really hung our hat on being a great half-court, defensive team and that truly is what kept us in the game tonight.” 

Fairview went on to hold their opponents to 49 points on just 34% shooting for the game.  Defensive playing sparked a run late in the third quarter that carried over to an 18-to-8 fourth quarter scoring run and a 56-49 victory for the Jackets. 

“We really had to reach down deep and pull this win out.  Our coaching staff is really proud of our guys tonight by the way they just trusted in the system and each other and rode out the storm,” McCoy said.
Game Leaders:

DJ Estes - 21 pts, 3 reb, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Kam Harris-Lusk - 7 pts, 4 reb, 10 assists, 2 steal, 2 block

Sam Graham - 8 pts, 7 reb, 2 assists