Convenience Big Store: Houston softball teams punch tickets to regional quarterfinals.

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Foster softball used an offensive barrage to win its playoff series against Crosby.

After suffering a Game 1 loss Friday night, the Foster softball team knew a long, hot Saturday laid ahead.

The Falcons responded with an offensive explosion, taking 12-7 and 12-6 victories over Crosby in a doubleheader at home to win the Region III-5A area playoff series between the teams.

"We definitely battled today," Foster coach Keely McGuire said. "We knew today was going to be hot. We knew they were going to give us everything we could handle. Our girls just answered the whole time."

Foster is one 26 Houston-area teams remaining in the UIL softball playoffs across all classifications. The regional quarterfinals will be played later this week.

Three weekend takeaways

Bridgeland clubs three longballs: Bridgeland punched its ticket to the regional quarterfinals for the third consecutive season, finalizing a sweep of Conroe with a 5-4 victory Saturday afternoon. The Bears slugged three home runs in the contest, including one each from Lilli Piersons, Trinity Allen and Sydney Jackson.

Klein Collins takes Game 3: Klein Collins kept its season alive as well, pulling out a 12-7 victory against The Woodlands in a Game 3 showdown Saturday. The Tigers faced an early deficit, but they responded by plating nine runs across the third and fourth innings to grab a seven-run advantage. They held on for the win from there.

Friendswood battery shines: Friendswood pitcher Janelle Wilson and catcher Charleigh Esparza put on a show Friday evening, leading their team to a 5-0 victory in a one-game playoff against Lamar Consolidated. The triumph sent the Mustangs to the regional quarterfinals, where they will face perennial powerhouse Barbers Hill.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Jon Poorman
High School Sports Editor
jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Athletes of the week

With softball and baseball playoffs going strong, there were plenty of impressive performances to chose from this week. Take a look at the nominees and vote for your favorite. Voting runs through midnight Wednesday, and the winners will be featured in the Thursday newsletter.

Vote for Boys Athlete of the Week

Vote for Girls Athlete of the Week

Lance Blanks' legacy

Lance Blanks is a legend in Montgomery County.

The former Houston-area basketball star went on to do great things in the sport, competing for the University of Texas and playing in the NBA and overseas. He also spent time as an NBA executive with the Suns, Cavaliers and Spurs.

Houston Chronicle sports writer and Oak Ridge High School alum Brent Zwerneman vividly remembers Blanks from his days as an unstoppable force for McCullough and shared his thoughts on the legacy Blanks is leaving behind.

Shout out

Lance Carter was promoted to executive athletic director for Katy ISD last week, a promotion that comes after 16 years of service within the district. He will take over for Debbie Decker, who is retiring. Carter has more than 30 years of education and coaching experience and previously served as assistant athletic director for the last eight years under Decker.

Stat of the day

249: The overall NFL draft pick the Philadelphia Eagles used on University of Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo. Read about Ojomo's journey from Nigeria to Katy to Austin, and why he's excited about joining the defending NFC champions.