BARBERTON — For just the second time in program history, the Falcons are Elite.

Lowen Ferguson and Knox Lewis each scored 17 points as Hillsdale thundered to a dominant, 67-45 win over Tiffin Calvert in a Division VII regional semifinal boys basketball game on Jack Greynolds Court.

The Falcons (19-7) will play Heartland Christian for a regional championship and a berth in next week’s state tournament at 7 p.m. Friday in Barberton. Heartland beat Fairport Harding 63-59 in Tuesday’s early game.

Hillsdale’s only other appearance in the Elite Eight came in 1990.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Ferguson, who broke Hillsdale’s single-season and career 3-pointers records after knocking down three treys Tuesday. “Me and my dad (Hillsdale coach and Falcon alum Ben Ferguson) have talked about it ever since I began playing basketball.”

Taking Command

Hillsdale trailed Calvert (17-8) 13-12 after the first quarter, but took complete control in the second stanza. 

The Falcons opened the period with a quick 6-0 run thanks to Lewis, who had a pair of putbacks on offensive rebounds and assisted on twin brother Kael’s layup during the spurt.

The Falcons outscored the Senecas 20-10 in the period to open a 32-23 halftime lead.

“We’re big, strong and fast and if we can use that our advantage we’re hard to deal with,” Knox Lewis said. “If we keep the pedal to the metal, we can be a really dangerous team.”

Running Away

Leading 49-39 after three quarters, Hillsdale iced it with a 12-4 spree to open the fourth quarter and took a 61-44 on a short jumper by Hayden McFadden with 3:47 remaining. 

The Falcons spread the floor and shot layups or free throws the rest of the way.

“We have a good ball handler and we’ve got big, strong kids. When we get a lead like that, we feel pretty confident,” Ben Ferguson said. “We have mature kids who understand the situation.

“They have a lot of experience and that’s really what makes a difference in games like these.”

Spreading the Wealth

Kael Lewis finished with 15 points, while McFadden added 11. Troy Bennett had seven.

Unofficially, Hillsdale had 15 assists on 27 made field goals. Lowen Ferguson had six, while Kael Lewis added four.

Bright Lights

Hillsdale won a district title last year, but lost to eventual state runner-up Cornerstone Christian 81-59 in the regional semifinals.

That experience served the Falcons well Tuesday.

“We’re a little school, so when you take the boys out of the county and bring them to a bigger school like this, there was a time when that would shake them up,” Ben Ferguson said. “Being here last year, I do think that played a big role in our comfort and confidence.”