Falcons, Predators bounce to Super Hoopla

The period of March 18 to 21 is going to be super exciting for two high school teams from the Coast of Bays as they will be among the approximately 80 high school basketball teams participating in the Super Hoopla that will be held in St. John's.

The Fitzgerald Falcons girls' 2A team and the Bay d'Espoir Academy 2A boys' team won the right to participate in the big event by winning their respective qualifying tournaments held on March 6.

The Falcons were soaring high in their tournament that was hosted by King Academy. They flew undefeated through the round robin over the King Academy Warriors and the John Watkins Rebels.

The Falcons couldn't seem to get airborne in the championship match against the Rebels, however, and seemed to be stuck in neutral as their opponents took an early lead. However, once they got off the ground, the Falcons, lead by Keisha Rose, Kelsey Poole and Kirsten Fudge, took control of the game and went on to win the match and the 2A-qualifying banner.

Kirsten Fudge, the captain of the Falcons, said that her girls are really looking forward to the big tournament in St. John's.

She said, "It's going to be a lot of fun playing in the big event in St. John's. The competition at a provincial competition is very tough, but, hopefully, we'll play a little better than we did in the provincials last year. Regardless of the outcome, we're going to have a great weekend."

Nancy Blagdon and Sheila Keeping, the coaches of the Falcons, both agreed that while the team has a strong defense, the girls have to work on their offensive drills before the provincials.

The most Sportsmanlike player in the girls' 2A tournament was Chrystal Cox of the King Academy Warriors.

Four teams - King Academy, John Watkins Academy, Fitzgerald Acad-emy and Bay d'Espoir Academy - participated in the boys' 2A basketball qualifying tournament that was hosted by Bay d'Espoir Academy.

The championship match came down to a contest between the Falcons and the Predators who went undefeated in round robin play. The Falcons came out strong in the game but the Predators kept on their game faces all day and came away with a win and the boys' 2A qualifying banner.

Toby Rose of the Fitzgerald Falcons was named the Most Sportsmanlike player in this event.

The Predators are also looking forward to the big Hoopla that is being held this year to celebrate 40 years of organized high school sports in the province.

Karen Richard, the Executive Director of School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador, said, "From the opening ceremonies on Thursday night to the actual games and social events, the Super Hoopla is going to be a memorable tournament for all the players participating in the event. "

Boys and girls teams in 2A, 3A, 4A, Small Schools and Fair Play will see action in the basketball event.