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Knights, Falcons zoned in for rivalry game

It’s more than bragging rights. It’s for a chance to go to the biggest dance in girls high school basketball.
Foothills Falcon Hannah Helton drives to the basket against the Holy Trinity Academy Knights in last year’ s FAC final. The two Okotoks school will meet for the first
Foothills Falcon Hannah Helton drives to the basket against the Holy Trinity Academy Knights in last year’ s FAC final. The two Okotoks school will meet for the first time this season in the 4A South Central zones tournament on March 9.

It’s more than bragging rights.

It’s for a chance to go to the biggest dance in girls high school basketball.

The Foothills Falcons and Holy Trinity Academy Knights will square off for the first time this season at the final game of the three-team round-robin of the 4A South Central zone playoffs Thursday at HTA.

“All I know about HTA is they are big and strong and they play a very effective 2-3 zone,” said Falcons coach Vince Hunter. “Looking at their schedule and what they have accomplished, they have a lot of talent.

“It’s going to be a great game, between two good teams.”

The Falcons go into the zone tourney as an honourable mention in the latest 4A provincial rankings. The Knights, who were ranked earlier this season, slipped out of the top 15 despite having only two losses all year.

The two teams competed in the Howler Classic Feb. 9-10, where they were both beaten by the host Centennial Coyotes, who won the tournament.

Coyotes coach Nadine Blum, said you could flip a coin in trying to determine who will win the game between the two Okotoks schools.

“Okotoks is lucky to have two good teams battling to represent the community at provincials,” Blum said. “Both are well coached and have good athletes who know how to compete.”

She was impressed by the Knights Annaelise Hielema and Foothills guard Hannah Helton.

“I found her to be a real effort player and her teammates feed off of her energy,” Blum said about Hielema.

As for Helton, her assessment is nothing new to Okotoks high school basketball fans.

“She is a player that you need to watch — she has a quick shot and can hit from anywhere on the floor,” Blum said.

“Should be a great game.”

The last time the two teams met, the Falcons edged HTA 46-45 in the Foothills Athletic Council final last season.

Hielema is looking forward to the rematch.

“It’s obviously going to be very tight game,” Hielema said. “It’s exciting to play them for the first time this year because we are both coming in with a clean slate.”

She said the Knights are fully aware of Helton’s shooting prowess as a result of playing the Falcons the past two years. Helton said she has seen HTA from the stands and she was impressed.

“I saw them play against Centennial and HTA is very good and aggressive on defence,” Helton said. “They have some good outside shooters… They are also very tall.

“We need to swing the ball and take our shots from the inside and outside. We also have to watch our turnovers. They have hurt us all year.”

Knights coach Scott Royce said the Knights have to be at their best this week.

“I have not seen them this year but I know they are very good,” Royce said. “We will have to bring our ‘A’ game.”

The third team in the round-robin is the Chestermere Lakers. The Lakers might just put a damper on the Knights or Falcons plans on going to provincials.

“I went out and saw them play in their Rocky View final on Saturday and they are good,” Royce said. “The latest rankings has Chestermere ahead of both of us — they are the favourites.”

Hunter agreed it would be ridiculous to assume it is going to be a Knights-Falcons final.

“Chestermere has flown under the radar — they can shoot,” Hunter said.

The Falcons split a pair of games with the Lakers this season.

The zone tournament got started with the Knights edging the Lakers 65-62 on March 7. A last-second three to tie the game just bounced off the rim for the Lakers.

The 4A South Central girls zone schedule is: March 8 — Chestermere vs. Foothills, 5:30 p.m.; March 9 — HTA vs. Foothills, 5:30 p.m.

March 11 — 1st vs. 2nd in zone final, noon. All games at HTA.

The winner of the zones will advance to the 4A provincials March 16-18 in Lethbridge.

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