Provincial consolation came in the form of a record high finish for the Foothills Falcons.
Foothills made school and South Central Zone history by becoming the first senior girls team from the region to win the consolation title at the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association 4A Girls Provincial Basketball Championships, held March 16-18 at Edmonton’s Jasper Place High.
“It was sticking to the things that made us successful throughout the season,” said Falcons head coach Jordan Britton. “That was bringing a championship level of effort to each game and sticking to us and executing the things that make us a great team.”
In the tournament opener, the eighth-ranked Falcons were downed 55-38 by the No. 9 seed Salisbury.
From there, three consecutive victories paved the way for the Falcons to bring home a trophy.
“Starting out with a loss is not the ideal scenario,” said Britton. “But I just told the girls that we want to make the most of every opportunity that was in front of us, no matter what that opportunity was.
“I was super proud of the way they were able to bounce-back and really take control of the entire rest of the weekend.”
First, Foothills shot the lights out to dispatch Grande Prairie 103-30, followed by a 76-65 win over the No. 13 ranked Paul Kane.
In the consolation final, Foothills was too much for the No. 10 seed Harry Ainlay and won by a 72-58 score.
“Finishing higher than the school has ever finished before was really exciting for all of us,” said Falcons Grade 12 Jessica Duffill. “All of us are really happy we got to experience that huge trophy and the plaque coming out.
“Even though it was the consolation final, in our hearts we won.”
Foothills graduates six players from the program in Duffill, Tia Glazier, Danielle Linkletter, Adison Lybbert, Ava Sheen and Skye Chubak.
Glazier, who was injured in advance of zones, was able to get on the floor and see some minutes in her final taste of high school basketball.
“Our seniors were huge for us, both on the court and getting things done where we needed to off the court making sure that we were always in a good place,” Britton said. “They were valuable in their leadership for us, in setting the tone in terms of the effort, but also showing the other girls what it takes to be an elite basketball team in this province.”
Duffill said the team hit new heights because the players both bonded and work together extremely well.
“Our love for basketball helps us have that work ethic,” she said. “In practices, we’re always working hard, but we’re also having fun because we all love the sport.
“With all of the relationships we have with one another, it was easy to put our best foot forward.”
Raymond won gold, the host Jasper Place took silver and Western Canada earned bronze.
In the boys bracket, the Falcons went out on a winning note at Jasper Place.
Foothills, the No. 14 ranked team, closed the competition by overpowering No. 15 Lacombe by an 88-66 count in the consolation bracket.
“It was a great experience for the guys and something we had hopefully looked forward to all year,” said Falcons head coach. Amron Gwilliam. “Just to get there is a challenge every year and it is an honour to be there.
“We didn’t win as many games as we wanted to win, but we came up against two really tough teams in our first two games.”
The Falcons opened provincials with an 81-62 loss to the third-seed Magrath Zenith. Foothills then dropped a narrow 81-72 decision to Edmonton’s Holy Trinity, the sixth-ranked team in the province.
Gwilliam tipped his cap to the Falcons defensive effort against Magrath, holding them to a tournament low in points.
“We knew we would probably have to have our best game of the year to even have a hope of beating them,” he said. “And I thought our boys played incredibly hard, our defence was really good overall and I was happy with how we competed.”
Foothills graduates eight players from its program – Tyler Olson, Ben Stephan, Owen Christensen, Bergan Hall, Ki Williams, Evan Fitzner, Colby Richards and Damon Johnson.
“They were totally committed to working hard and getting better,” Gwilliam said. “And I just can’t say enough, especially for all of our Grade 12s about the maturity they’ve shown this year and the commitment to each other and to working hard and playing as a team, putting the team first and doing what it takes to win each night.
“They’ve been awesome guys and we’re definitely going to miss all of them.”
Strathcona won provincial gold, St. Mary’s took silver and Magrath went on to claim bronze.
For more information on the event, visit asaa.ca/championships.
