Tompkins has the luxury of experience.

The Falcons players have been in almost every situation they could go through at the varsity level, and they know how to respond.

So, when Tompkins fell behind double digits in the first quarter on Friday, no one panicked.

The Falcons seniors knew exactly what they had to do and they adjusted, leading Tompkins to a 54-43 win over Cy-Ridge to clinch a berth to the Class 6A Regional Quarterfinals.

“This team just has a lot of senior leadership and it was a big part of tonight,” said Tompkins head coach Tamatha Ray. “Macy (Spencer) and Fiyin (Adeleye) have been here and they know what to do. Macy has been here three years in a row, Fiyin has been here four years in a row and they know what it takes in these games and these moments. They are like extra pieces of the coaching staff on the floor and they help get their teammates in the right positions. After that slow start, they got the entire team right, and the rest responded to get us the win.”

It was a struggle of a start for Tompkins, as the Falcons defense was unable to cope with the Cy-Ranch 3-pointer early. Olivia Shook scored 14 first quarter points, including making four three pointers, as the Falcons allowed five first quarter threes in total while falling behind 21-8.

That was unacceptable for Spencer, and in the huddle heading into the second, she took it upon herself to stop the run, saying she would guars Shook the rest of the way.

“I decided to go on here because I knew that I could force stops,” Spencer said. “I have the length to disrupt here and for a guard I have longer closeouts. I knew that would bother her and that was it. I knew it was best for the team for me to guard her and try and slow everything down.”

Spencer’s defensive presence was felt immediately and for the rest of the game, as Shoock was only able to manage six points the rest of the way, with none coming from 3-pointers.

The Falcons started to get back into an offensive rhythm in the second quarter and it came from the high post play of Adeleye, who opened up the Cy-Ridge zone with her passing and aggressive drives to the basket, helping Tompkins trim the deficit to six points heading into halftime. Tompkins kept that going into the third, quickly taking the lead and control of the game.

“Fiyin has been here, and she knew that she had an opportunity to help her team in a huge way because of the matchup she had,” Ray said. “She shouldered that load and it was a great balance between her and Macy. Fiyin was able to attack from that high post and she was exceptional tonight with it.”

Spencer led the Falcons with 24 points, while Adeleye added 21 in a huge effort from the duo. The Falcons defense stepped up as well, holding Cy-Ridge to just 22 points in total over the final three quarters to secure the win.

“I really didn’t want to lose tonight,” Adeleye said. “I saw the middle was open so I knew I had to attack. I try to facilitate a lot but I knew that tonight my needed me to go at the basket, and so I got aggressive and did what it took to help us win.”

This is the third straight year that the Falcons have advanced to the reginal quarterfinals, and it’s also the point where their season ended last season. They are out to change that and will have that chance when they play Memorial at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Coleman Coliseum.

“We’re just going to do us,” Spencer said. “Obviously we are going to have to start better, but we’re going to go out and there and fight and try to get a dub. That’s what it’s all about.”