For Aaron Hale, this was as important as any basketball game he has played during his Foothills Christian career.

“This is the first step to where I want us to be by the end of the season,” Hale said after the Knights dumped Maranatha Christian 66-55 to capture the Division V title yesterday at Cox Arena.

The 6-foot-3 Hale is the lone senior starter for El Cajon's Foothills Christian. He's been a part of the Knights' two section championships, but he wants more.

“This is sweet, but hopefully we can go all the way and win state this year,” Hale said.

The Knights were dismissed from the first round of the Southern California Regional by Pacific Hills a year ago.

“We are a better team this year than we were last year,” Hale said. “I know we can go further.”

When team scoring leader Troy Leaf picked up three fouls in the opening half of the first quarter against Maranatha Christian (21-7), it appeared the Knights (21-8) might go home empty handed.

Leaf was scoreless in the first quarter, but Foothills still maintained a 17-16 edge over Maranatha, a school in the 4S Ranch area.

“Sure, we missed not having him out there and naturally were a little nervous about it,” said Hale, who had six points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. “But we have confidence in all of our players.”

No one panicked, said Knights junior guard Zach Kaul.

“We kept running our stuff,” Kaul said. “Of course, when Troy got back in there, it certainly was a relief.”

Leaf made a triumphant return. He sank 5-of-6 shots for 12 points in the second period, propelling the Knights to a 37-25 halftime lead.

“I guess I was a little too jittery at the start,” Leaf said. “I don't think I've ever begun a game with three fouls that quickly. It was tough having to sit there on the bench and watch. But once I got back in the game I did what I know I can do.”

Leaf, who has accepted a scholarship offer to San Diego State, finished with 18 points, well below his 25.4 season average.

Despite giving away seven inches to Maranatha's 6-foot-8 freshman Chen Cai, the Knights guards did not seem intimidated. Leaf, Kaul and Kalob Hatcher repeatedly attacked the basket.

“We noticed that (Cai) doesn't really go after blocks. He just jumps straight up,” Leaf said. “We knew we could finish on him.”

Hatcher scored 19 points, 10 coming in the fourth quarter. He was 8-for-8 from the free throw line and had 10 assists and six steals.

Kaul pitched in 14 points, including three three-pointers.

When Foothills cranked up its 1-3-1 zone pressure, Maranatha started turning the ball over – 11 each half.

“That 1-3-1 was pretty effective against our inside kids,” Maranatha Christian coach Rle Nichols said.