Hawks hoops open FAC season

The Holy Cross Collegiate Hawks dropped a nail biter in their home opener.
Having already hosted a tournament to kick off the new season, the senior girls basketball team tipped off the Foothills Athletic Council season with a 42-35 Dec. 5 loss to the Foothills Composite High School Falcons.
“We were down big early, but had a strong second half that turned into a really exciting game,” said Hawks Head Coach Joe Lepage. “Once we started slowing things down, we were able to see the open man and see when it was a good time to drive to the hoop. Our passing became better and our decision making also became better as the game went on.”
The Hawks trailed 16-7 at the half before turning on the jets in the third and fourth quarter, outscoring the Falcons 28-26.
“It was hard to stay seated in my chair during the game. We were able to cut their lead to two in the second half but couldn’t pull off the comeback. It was really an exciting game,” said Lepage.
Leading the way for the Hawks was Grade 11 forward Hope Given, who supplied 16 points.
The Hawks will only compete in FAC league play for the remainder of the month. Their next game went Dec. 12 against the Holy Trinity Academy Knights in Okotoks (results were unavailable at press time). That was the Hawks final game before the Christmas break.
Lepage stated the month of December was designed with mostly practices and FAC play in mind so he could develop the systems and work on the fundamentals for his team before diving back into tournament play in the new year.
The senior boys team finally tipped off FAC play this week. On Dec.11 the Hawks were grounded 88-49 at home by the Notre Dame Collegiate Timberwolves. Alex Nwoye was the only Hawk to record double figures, as he racked up 25 points and seven rebounds. Turner Dirk was also a force on the glass, hauling down six rebounds to go with his three points.
The Hawks also took on the Strathcona Tweedsmuir School Spartans in a midweek affair to get them warmed up for their host tournament, which tips off Friday, Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. against the Bassano School at the Holy Cross Collegiate Gym.