The playoff atmosphere is nothing new for Tompkins.

The Falcons are reigning Region III 6A finalists and have had success both in the playoffs and in district and know what it takes to succeed.

The Falcons have a week before playoffs begin, but they are already getting prepared and used the extra time in spring break to their advantage.

So with another trip to the playoffs on the horizon, Tompkins is already ready and locked in.

“After district, we get locked in, we get ready for what we have to do in the playoffs,” said junior forward Luis Lugo. “The key with this week is to get rest, relax, and let the nerves go away. We’re excited for the playoffs, but we also want to relax and enjoy this last part of the year. That’s when we play our best.”

Tompkins clinched a second seed with a 5-2 win over Mayde Creek and a tie between Seven Lakes, which finished first, and Cinco Ranch which finished third. A No. 2 seed was huge for the Falcons, especially with knowing how hard it is to compete in District 19-6A against other Katy ISD schools.

“In our eyes as a team, we know this district is one of the most competitive in Texas. You have Seven Lakes, we took a big loss to them and they’re a great team,” Lugo said. “We really love that we get to play against every opponent in this district, there are no days off. It prepares us for playoffs really well because we know when we get to the playoffs the teams are going to be at the same level we’ve been facing all through district.”

Having that extra week to rest and prepare also is huge for a team that had to grind through such a difficult district schedule.

The Falcons not only come off a regional final appearance last year, but they’ve made the regional semifinals four different times. This isn’t a team that lacks experience and they feel that gives them an edge in any matchup.

“Having that experience is so big,” Lugo said. “I think doing that again and again, having that experience, being there before, it shows that it’s built in our DNA just to go in the playoffs. That’s our programs identity. We don’t really chase the district title, we focus on the process and being ready come playoff time.”

Tompkins will play a tune-up game against Klein Forest on Monday before heading into the playoffs, and The Falcons are ready and excited to go.

“We’ll give them those couple days off, let them get that rest, and then we’ll start to get them focused for it,” Jones said. “Like every year when we get to playoff time, we have to reach a new level of focus and be ready to work every single day.