For two years the Sardis Falcons have been seeking revenge on the W.J. Mouat Hawks, and they finally got it Tuesday night.
A senior girls basketball battle at Sardis secondary school saw the Falcons knocked off the Hawks in a one-point thriller.
For several Sardis seniors, it avenged a season-ending loss in the Fraser Valley playoffs two years ago.
It also established this year’s Falcons as legit playoff contenders.
In a back-and-forth game, the home team trailed by three points with 18 seconds to go. Josi Debruyn wheeled the ball down the floor and drained a quick three to tie the game with 15 ticks on the clock.
Mouat missed the basket on their next possession, leaving enough time for Makena Lejeune to pull down the defensive rebound and get fouled.
With five seconds left she stood at the free throw line and missed her first shot.
But Lejeune stayed cool, knocked down her second throw and watched as the Hawks threw up an unsuccessful prayer.
Final score, 63-62.
Lejeune finished the game with 19 points and 13 rebounds. DeBruyn chipped in 15 points while Taylor Martens added 14.
Sophie Klassen played lock-down defense in the last quarter, keeping Mouat’s highest scorer off the board.
Azalya Forstbauer pulled down 13 rebounds and played stellar defense with Serenah Roy, Olivia Nicol and Jacy Weijdeman contributing key minutes off the bench.
Mouat is an Honorable Mention in the B.C. rankings, proving Sardis can fly with the best.
“This win was huge for our squad, and we can finally say that we can battle with the best and win,” said Sardis head coach Gina Graves. “Our coaching staff is extremely proud of our girls, and can’t wait to get back on the court.”