The Foothills Falcons are going to compete in the Provincial Regional tournament, thanks to their success at a recent tournament.
Both of the Senior Falcons teams participated in the South-Central Zone Championship this past weekend, where they took the top spots, earning their way into the Provincial competition.
The senior girls had opened the Zone Championship against the WH Croxford Cavaliers from Airdrie, which was the first competitive game they had played since winning the Magrath Heartbreak tournament several weeks ago.
Due to the break, they were a little rusty, as the Cavaliers were ahead by the end of the first quarter, with a score of 16 to 10.
During the second period, though, the Falcons stepped up and outscored the Cav's 27 to 6.
They continued to dominate the rest of the game, and almost doubled the score of the Cavs, with the Falcons winning 81 to 42.
After that match, the senior girls went to the championship game against the girls from Holy Trinity Academy (HTA).
When the Falcons first began the game against HTA, the Falcons looks like a provincial powerhouse, as they were able to use their speed and tenacity to get ahead with a score of 23 to 15.
Unfortunately, though, the Falcons went into a bit of a shooting slump and earned a foul, which gave the girls from HTA a bit of a reprieve and try to catch the soaring Falcons.
Through the second quarter, the Falcons were able to only get 5 points, but still managed to clinch onto their lead by 3 points, as HTA clawed their way to within reach, with a score of 28 to 25 for the Falcons.
The reminder of the game was hard fought, and with only 5 minutes left on the clock, both teams were tied at 45 points, and they exchanged leads as the clock ticked away.
When there was only 54 seconds left on the clock, HTA was down by 1 point, the ball became loose.
Three players hit the floor to recover the ball, but it popped loose and then was recovered by HTA, who then put the ball into the hoop.
With only 45 seconds left, the Falcons were able to get a 3-pointer.
The Falcons were then able to add 2 sets of free throws in the last few seconds of the game, and won the South-Central Zone Championship banner, with a score of 59-53.
Meanwhile, the Senior Boys also began the Championship against the team from WH Croxford, where their depth, intensity, and skill were on display, as they built a 23-10 lead in the first quarter.
During that game, which the Falcons won, one of their players got 22 points and 12 rebounds, while six other Falcons got into the double digits.
In their championship game, the senior boys also took on the HTA Knights.
Unfortunately, though, the Falcons had three players either suffering from or nursing injuries they sustained prior to this game, including one who had gotten injured while playing in a hockey playoff game the night prior.
While these injuries left the remaining players to pick up the slack, the Falcons had a tenacious defense and their sharpshooting helped them to get an early lead, and they finished the first quarter with a score of 23 to 11.
The second quarter saw the HTA Knights close the lead, so they were only behind 37-30 at halftime.
During the third quarter, the Falcons stepped up and widened the gap throughout the quarter, and during the final quarter, despite a push from the Knights, the Falcons were able to cling onto their lead, and won the championship 87 to 70.
Because both teams were the South-Central Zone Champions, they are progressing to the Provincial Regional tournament.
As part of the new provincial playoff format, both of the Falcons teams will be hosting a regional tournament at the Foothills Composite High School this Friday and Saturday.