The Fairfield Falcons enter the 2025–26 season with a strong foundation of experience and balance, giving head coach Kyle Hartman plenty of optimism in his third year at the helm. With four starters returning, a handful of promising newcomers, and a roster filled with multi-year varsity contributors, Fairfield looks ready to challenge the NECC and make noise in Class 3A.
Leading the way is senior guard Eva Herbert, who helped pace the Falcons last season with 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game. A versatile playmaker, Herbert has proven she can score at all three levels while also distributing and defending and that is why she was an All-Area player as a sophomore. Her ability to impact both ends of the court will be crucial as Fairfield looks to establish consistency against top-tier competition.
Alongside Herbert in the backcourt is junior Madison Jones, who contributed a team best 14.6 points to go with 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game rebounds per game a season ago. Jones is efficient, shooting better than 50 percent from the field last year, and gives the Falcons another dynamic guard who can handle the ball, attack the rim, and create scoring opportunities. Senior Mykayla Mast, another returning guard, provides veteran steadiness and defensive presence, adding to Fairfield’s perimeter depth after avearging 9 points and 4.2 rebounds last season.
The frontcourt will be anchored by senior Macy Worthman, who returns from injury and should be a key factor inside. Even in limited action last season, she averaged 4.1 points and 4.8 rebounds rebounds per game, showing the kind of physicality Fairfield will need in the paint. Sophomore forward Paige Park also gives the Falcons size and production after averaging 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds as a freshman.
Fairfield’s depth will be tested and strengthened by the arrival of new contributors. Seniors Gisel Lopez and Maddie Treat, along with sophomore guard Jenna Fought, are expected to carve out roles as impact players. Their addition gives Coach Hartman more options to keep the team balanced across the floor and allows for a deeper rotation when the Falcons want to push the tempo.
For Hartman, the biggest focus is on mindset and consistency. “We’re excited to see what this season will hold,” he said. “We should be very experienced. We have a lot of girls that have played varsity basketball for a long time now. But I am more interested in their mindset this year. What are they going to bring to the table day in and day out.” His words underscore the challenge of turning talent and experience into execution across a demanding season.
The goals for Fairfield are clear: establish a flow offense that utilizes their balanced scoring options, and put constant pressure on opponents on both ends of the court. With Herbert and Jones leading the way in the backcourt, Worthman and Park anchoring the paint, and a blend of newcomers ready to contribute, the Falcons have all the tools to compete for an NECC title and make a deep run in the postseason.
WHY #10?
We still have questions about Fairfield. By returning so much, they are also very much a similar team on paper as last season. Do they transcend what is on paper once games begin? Well that is a question for another time.
What we know about Fairfield right now is what we knew about them last season.
Last season they had one what you may call “bad loss” on their resume with a late season upset at the hands of Westview. But of the other losses on their 18-7 record, the focus is on the two times they played with Eastside but couldn’t come out with the win. That means that Fairfield is at 2nd in the NECC until they prove otherwise and that lets them fit in and the end of our preseason top 10.
KEY GAME
December 30 vs. Warsaw at Hoosier Gym
Combining the appeal of getting to play in a place as special with Hoosier Gym and playing arguably the toughest team in the area is going to be unique. This is a great way to go out of 2025 and if played right, it a big momentum push for Fairfield into 2026.
Warsaw represents where teams likes Fairfield want to get, so this opportunity is cool for the gym but could be monumental because of the opponent. So what does Fairfield need to set up for in early 2026? The always awaited battle with Eastside and the NECC Tournament. A good showing or a win over Warsaw to end the calendar year could really alter what the first part of 2026 looks like for Fairfield.
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