HTA's teams gave council plenty of reasons to take a shot at celebrating.

Okotoks council recently recognized the Holy Trinity Academy senior girls and senior boys basketball teams following a season of firsts for both programs.

The girls won the school’s first 4A zone basketball banner and advanced to provincials for the first time. Co-captain Sierra Dudar credited the coaching staff and the team’s consistent work in the gym. The players set early goals of reaching provincials and defeating cross-town rival Foothills Composite High School.

The boys captured HTA’s first 5A zone championship and provincial banner. Noah Barlow said the team chose to move up from 4A, where it competed last year, to take on a new challenge. The 5A classification is for schools with more than 1,400 students, while 4A includes schools with enrolments of 700 to 1,399.

The boys roster included twins Enzo and Nicholas Diaz, who transferred to HTA for their senior year, as well as the Barlow twins. Enzo Diaz said the team shared a memorable tournament experience in Edmonton on the Diaz twins’ birthday.

Four players are graduating from the girls team and seven are graduating from the boys team.

Council also honoured senior boys coach Sam Aiello for 29 years of volunteer coaching at HTA. Mayor Tanya Thorn recognized the time Aiello has dedicated to players and the Okotoks community.