It’s a three-peat of South Central Zone banners for the Foothills Falcons.
The Falcons kept the winning tradition going with a third consecutive 4A Girls South Central Zone championship to earn a return trip to the high school basketball provincials following a convincing 61-35 victory over the host W.H. Croxford Cavaliers on March 9.
“It’s such a good experience for everyone and it's just nice to give back to the community and represent Okotoks,” said Falcons Grade 12 Ella Watkins, part of all three zone championship teams along with Dior Sellars and Alexa Hayes. “And it’s exciting to bring the younger girls in and get to show them the different experience as well.”
Foothills will look to continue to level up at the provincial stage.
Two years ago, the Falcons earned a top-10 finish and last winter produced the first consolation title in both school and zone history.
“That’s our goal every year is to do better than last year,” said Falcons head coach Amron Gwilliam. “And to do the best we possibly can with the kids we have. I think we have a good shot, the girls have shown they belong with the top teams in the province.
“We’re excited with the opportunity to go there and hopefully play our best basketball of the year.”
Remy Greer/Western Wheel
At zones, the Falcons showcased why they were ranked No. 4 at the 4A level with a dominant showing on two fronts.
In the final, Foothills held the Cavaliers to 13 points in the first half.
Savanah Sommerfeldt scored 16 with Watkins and Ashleigh Baker also hitting double digits.
“Our defence played really well, rotated well,” said Gwilliam. “We switched up our defence several times and you could tell they were a little bit frustrated with the speed we were able to play with.
“I really liked how hard our girls competed.”
The Falcons overpowered the Chestermere Lakers 94-32 in the semifinal on Friday with Sommerfeldt posting a game-high 25 points along with 18 from Addisyn Gwilliam and 17 from Watkins.
“There was a little bit of nerves from the coaches and the girls just wanting to make sure we played well,” Gwilliam said. “We knew if we played well we would probably be fine.
“I’m honoured to get the chance to coach them this year, just great attitudes, hard workers that just want to soak up everything and learn as much as they possibly can.
“It’s been super rewarding.”
The Holy Trinity Academy Knights secured the bronze medal at zones, downing the Lakers 77-55.
Leah Kotze scored 19 with Paige McNichol posting a 16-point performance.
The ASAA 4A Provincial Basketball Championships tip off March 14-16 at Red Deer’s Lindsay Thurber High School.
Watkins, who credited the team’s success to its ability to play as one, said the team is confident ahead of the provincial tournament.
“I think we’ve got a pretty good shot to go out and do quite well,” Watkins said. “If we just stick to our game and push each other to be better every game and continue with a positive attitude pushing forward.
“(At provincials) the atmosphere steps up a little bit and all becomes a little more intense.”
For more information, go to asaa.ca/championships.
