Folsom Lake College’s historic women’s basketball season came to a close in the Elite 8 of the State Tournament, but not without a spirited effort against the South’s top-seeded Orange Coast College. Though the Falcons fell 95-59, they showed grit, determination, and flashes of brilliance in their battle against one of the state’s premier programs.
From the opening tip-off, Folsom Lake played with heart, pushing the tempo and attacking the basket. Sophomore guard Lexi Peters led the charge, delivering a team-high 13 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting while also facilitating with five assists. Forward Athena Brombacher matched her with 13 points of her own, adding five rebounds and bringing energy on both ends of the floor.
Despite facing a hot-shooting Orange Coast team that connected on an astonishing 61.1% of their three-pointers, the Falcons never backed down. In the second half, Folsom Lake showed resilience, outscoring the Pirates in the final quarter with a 20-point surge. Key contributions from Kelis Powell (10 points) and Leilani Edinburgh (7 points, 5 assists) helped the Falcons end the game on a strong note, showcasing their never-quit attitude.
Defensively, the Falcons forced 13 turnovers and recorded five blocks, demonstrating their hustle and ability to disrupt a high-powered offense. Livi Fernandez was a key spark off the bench, contributing four points, four rebounds, and two steals in her 15 minutes on the floor.
The loss may mark the end of Folsom Lake’s tournament run, but it caps off an incredible season that saw the Falcons finish with an impressive 25-7 record. With a talented core of young players and a culture of resilience, Folsom Lake’s future remains bright. This Elite 8 appearance is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting chapter for the program.
As the Falcons look ahead, they do so with pride, knowing they battled among the best and left everything on the court.
Content courtesy of FLC Athletics, Blue Hat Photography