The boys basketball team only had one game last week but, being a state tournament competition, they knew they had to make it count.

As the number three seeded team in the 3A state tournament, the Falcons earned themselves a bye through the first round of state competition.

Saturday evening, Feb. 18, the team took on Snowflake High School in the second round of tournament play, going on to claim a big victory, 76-52.

According to head coach Matt Keating, it was a fast-paced game from tipoff to final buzzer.

“Snowflake runs a very up-tempo system, and so we had to prepare for a different style than we were used to throughout the week,” Keating explained.

The preparation paid off, as the Falcons jumped out to an early lead and had little trouble keeping out of reach of the Lobos.

Despite the change of pace, Keating said the Falcons came ready to play.

“We were able to execute our game plan over the course of the game,” he said. “We had a balanced attack that was able to wear them down throughout the game.”

The Falcons were led by Joe Wagoner’s 18 points, closely followed by Bryce Andrashie with 17 and Larkin Lipps with 10.

That trio was joined by another six who scored points for the Falcons this outing, meaning the local boys were dangerous no matter who had the ball on offense.

Next up, the Falcons prepare for the “elite eight,” according to Keating.

“It’s against a tough Florence team that just knocked off Yuma Catholic,” Keating said.

That game was held Tuesday afternoon. If the Falcons were victorious, that sets them up to take on the winner of the Valley Christian/Winslow game this Friday, Feb. 24, at 3:30 p.m. If successful there, then it would be on to the state championship matchup the following evening.