The final game of Dec. 28 featured a GMC battle between two storied schools, Fairfield and Lakota West.
The scoring opened with a layup by Fairfield junior guard Daviawne Crim. Lakota West answered with a bucket from Isaiah Tyson. Both teams then traded three-pointers before a 9-2 Fairfield run. Again, Lakota West answered with a small run of their own cut the lead to 14-11 Fairfield atthe end of the first quarter.
Lakota West took their first lead of the game on a three-pointer by Isaiah Meade-Moss with 6:27 remaining in the first half, prompting a Fairfield timeout. A very even first half saw the two teams knotted at the break, 24-24.
Fairfield center Gabe Clemmons scored the first basket of the second half, but Isaiah Tyson put Lakota West back in front with four straight points. Clemmons added a three-pointer to make it a 30-29 game with 4:50 remaining in the third, but once again it was answered on a three-point-play by Lakota West's LJ Green. A thunderous alley-oop thrown down by Bryce Curry further extended the Firebird lead. Ultimately, Lakota West took a 42-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
A myriad of free throws ballooned Lakota West's lead to 53-45 with 4:20 remaining in the game, and the teams continued to battle with the Firebirds holding onto a 58-54 advantage with 1:19 left. Two late Fairfield turnovers put the game at 60-54 with 37 seconds remaining, but Fairfield answered with a bucket to cut the lead to four with 29 seconds left.
Ultimately, it was Lakota West holding on by a score of 63-56.