The boys basketball team remains undefeated this season, moving to an 8-0 record after adding another three games to the “win” column last week, besting teams from Notre Dame Prep, Northwest Christian and Payson.

The regular season is set to return on Saturday, Jan. 3, with a home game versus Tempe Prep beginning at 3 p.m. The boys JV and girls varsity teams will also host Tempe Prep that afternoon, making for a triple-header coach Matt Keating said local fans won’t want to miss.

“We have been very appreciative of the great fan support we have seen all year, and would encourage anyone who has not come out to a game yet, and those that have continued to, to come and see all three teams play,” he added.

But that doesn’t mean the boys will be resting through winter break, as the team is now set to take part in a tournament hosted out of Desert Edge High School, squaring off against teams from Canada and California in the coming weeks.

Notre Dame

The Falcons hit the road on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to take on the team from Notre Dame Prep, going on to claim a 59-46 win.

“Notre Dame is an athletic group this year and gave us a very good game,” Keating said of the Division II team.

“Though the contest was close throughout, we were able to maintain a lead and held it to the end.”

Keating went on to say that Notre Dame’s athleticism was a solid challenge for Fountain Hills’ guards in particular, as the team expects to see great guard play in many of the upcoming division opponents.

Northwest

Game two on the week saw the Falcons back on the court 24 hours later, this time on the road to square off against the guys from Northwest Christian.

Keating described this opponent at “feisty,” highlighting Cory Kukkola’s 15 points and Bryce Andrashie’s 12 as big contributors to another Falcon win.

“After a slow start in the first half, we came out in the third and outscored them 23-11,” Keating said.

“This broke the game open. We continued to be a very difficult team to defend as we shot well, but were able to get to the paint consistently, as well.”

Keating said that playing back to back games is always a challenge, but the Falcons managed to overcome fatigue to pull out another victory, 62-47.

Payson

The third and final game on the week saw the Falcons finally returning home, this time playing host to the Payson Longhorns last Friday, Dec. 12.

“In our second home game of the year, we came out to an energetic crowd who helped fuel a defensive effort in the first half that led to us holding them to 15 points,” Keating said.

“Led by Austin Keating’s 18 points and 12 rebounds, we jumped out early on the Longhorns and did not look back.”

Cory Kukkola added 15 points and Luke McDermott chipped in an additional 11 to round out the team’s top three scorers en route to this 65-41 victory.

The Falcons played in top form this outing, with Keating saying that the local squad had no trouble executing its game plan throughout.

“Which is a credit to our athletes and their work ethic every day in practice,” Keating added.

“We ask a lot of them in both the physical and mental aspects of the game, and the fact that we are now 8-0 is a testament to their continued dedication.”