With a large lead dwindling and a region title on the line, the plan was simple for the Fairfield boys basketball team: Make free throws and go where you’re supposed to go.

Both were executed and accomplished without much effort.

The top-ranked Tigers shot out to an early double-digit lead and made clutch shots at the line to stave off a final response in a 52-48 victory over No. 9 Ramsay in Wednesday’s Class 5A boys Northwest Regional final at Wallace State’s Traditions Bank Arena

Fairfield fell to Ramsay in last year’s region final and exacted revenge in advancing to the state tournament final four for the first time since 2020.

“I’m really proud of these guys and the adversity we’ve come through,” Fairfield coach Maurice Ford said. “We’re small, not very big, but we grind and grind and grind. We keep our composure and do the things we’re taught.”

Fairfield (27-2) matched wits to open the first period, battling to an early 4-all tie, and Josiah Jones scored 8 points during an 8-3 run to give the Tigers a 10-5 advantage at the end of the quarter. Demarcus Williams nailed a 3-pointer to open the second period and Jones completed an 11-2 run – on consecutive 3-pointers of his own – to build a 21-7 lead with 4:44 remaining in the half.

Cutting the halftime deficit to 10 points, the Rams closed out the second period on a 7-0 run that was bookended by Jeremiah Ford, scoring on a layup and last-second 3-pointer.

Ramsay (23-9) kept the momentum flowing into the second half, opening up on a 6-0 run, and came within a single point of tying the game on a 3-pointer from Alabama football signee QB Reese and a midrange jumper from JaQuille Malone. Jamaria Hamilton and Milton Jones scored the final 4 points of the quarter to push the Fairfield advantage back to 5 entering the final period.

The Tigers found an answer to every Ramsay bucket in the final quarter and were able to push the lead to 50-43 on the back of a 9-5 surge in the final three minutes. Jeffery Duncan went 6-of-8 at the line down the stretch to seal the win for Fairfield.

Did you know? Fairfield will make its fifth state tournament appearance in program history. The Tigers made their first trip in 1968 before appearing in the final four three out of six seasons between 1977 and 1982.

By the numbers: The Tigers shot 48.6 percent overall, 50 percent from three-point range and were 12-of-14 at the line. Ramsay held a plus-1 advantage on the glass and forced 15 turnovers that resulted in 16 points, but was only 32.7 percent from the field and 12-of-23 on free throws.

Stat sheet: Fairfield – Josiah Jones finished with a game-high 21 points, including 3 rebounds, and Williams had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Milton Jones added 8 points, 5 boards and 4 blocks, followed by Duncan with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Hamilton had 4 points and 6 rebounds. Ramsay – Reese produced a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, adding 2 assists and 4 steals, and Zedrick Powell had 11 points and 4 boards. Jayden Williams had 9 points and 3 rebounds and Ryan Reese had 6 points and 5 rebounds. Malone and Ford had 5 points each and combined for 5 rebounds.

All-Tournament Team: Josiah Jones was named MVP and teammates Demarcus Williams and Milton Jones were selected to the all-tournament team, along with Ramsay’s Jayden Williams and Jeremiah Ford and Russellville’s EJ King.

Coachspeak: “We were in the same situation on Friday, but this time we watched film. On Friday, we were not where we were supposed to be, and today, we were where we were supposed to be. We made our free throws down the stretch and didn’t turn it over. We made some mistakes, but weathered it and we move a step closer.” – Fairfield’s Maurice Ford

“I thought we were getting good looks early and we were fighting. It just wasn’t going in the basket and that’s a part of basketball. I do commend them, we turned the energy up a notch and the effort they gave. We haven’t experienced this side yet, but the senior class is legendary.” – Ramsay’s Denton Johnson

They said it: “We have to keep going, playing hard and grinding it out.” – Josiah Jones Williams

“It’s what I came here for. Building a legacy.” – Milton Jones

What’s next? Fairfield advances to face No. 2 Valley in a Class 5A state semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham.