Fayetteville Playoff Run Halted

DEL VALLE – There won’t be a double state title for the Fayetteville girls this school year.

But it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

On the heels of a state volleyball title, the Lady Lions took their fans on an incredible run of basketball success too this season, but that ride ended Saturday with a 65-34 loss to Neches in the regional finals.

The Lady Lions basketball season ends with a 28-8 record.

The Fayetteville girls has come into Saturday’s regional final with an 18-game win-streak, none bigger that Friday’s 60-56 win over Zavalla in the regional semis, which vaulted the Lady Lions into that matchup with Neches.

Against Zavalla, Fayetteville was down early but rallied to hold the lead the entire second half. But in what was a very physical game, four Lady Lions ended up with four fouls and Fayetteville just held off a furious Zavalla rally.

“We got in foul trouble which we haven’t been used to,” Fayetteville head coach Marcus Sodek said. “But we pulled it together.”

Fayetteville was led in scoring by juniors Brooklyn Jaeger and Emma Jurecka, who had 29 and 23 points, respectively.

“I told Emma to let it fly today and she did,” Jaeger said.

“We won this one because we played like family, we played with confidence,” Jurecka said.

That family bond is evident whether on the volleyball or the basketball court.

“We’ve just been playing together ever since we were little, we’ve been on the same Fayetteville Little Dribblers team since we were five,” Jaeger said. “We just keep pushing it and that’s why we’re here.”

“No matter the sport, they work hard,” Sodek said.

And the success should continue.

The young Lady Lions only had one senior on this year’s basketball team – Mattie Konvicka.

“I’ve grown so close to these girls I almost don’t feel like a senior,” Konvicka said. “Honestly, I didn’t know we’d come this far in basketball. Last year we were out in the second round. But after the success we had in volleyball I hoped we’d do this and I’m really proud.”

Sodek Family Success

Fayetteville head basketball coach Marcus Sodek took the Fayetteville Lady Lions on the longest playoff run of any county girls team this year just as his brother Chris has taken the Flatonia Bulldogs on the longest run of any county boys basketball team. Chris’ Bulldogs play Milano Tuesday in the third round.

“Chris is like a second dad to me,” Marcus said. “I lean on him, I talk to him all the time. Chris showed me the love of the game.”

2/25/22

Fayetteville girls 60, Zavalla 56

Fayetteville 10 21 15 14 – 60

Zavalla 14 11 8 23 – 56

Fayetteville scoring: Emma Jurecka 23, Kayme Schley 4, Brooklyn Jaeger 29, Rylie Dyer 3, Marissa Rohde 1.

2/26/22

Neches 65, Fayetteville 34

Fayetteville finishes season with a 28-8 record.