In the decades of Hennessey High School basketball prior to Brady Page’s arrival as coach, the program reached state four times.

In the eight years since? Four times.

That fourth trip under Page was booked last Friday night when the sixth-ranked Eagles knocked off No. 17 Northeast 62-52 at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center in Weatherford to win a Class 2A area championship.

“They’re good; really good,” said Page of the Vikings going into the game, but the Eagles controlled the tempo and led most of the night.

Already up by five at halftime, the Eagles saw their lead balloon to double digits with a 19-10 run in the third quarter.

Angel Rodriguez was one of four Eagles to knock down a 3-pointer and scored eight points in the quarter.

Cooper Fuksa, Bryan Villalobos and Brandon Ramirez also hit from long range as Hennessey took control of the game.

Rodriguez led all scorers with 21 points.

Fuksa made three 3-pointers and scored 12 points.

Ramirez scored 11 while Villalobos and Hugo Rodriguez scored nine apiece.

The area championship was Hennessey’s second straight.

The Eagles qualified for state in 3A a year ago as well as in 2015.

Those teams were anchored by Carlos Rojo and Dalton Vinson. With those two gone, many expected a precipitous drop for the program in 2018-19.

“We knew we had some guys waiting in the wings that were maybe overshadowed by those two a bit,” Page said earlier this year. “We knew we’d still be competitive, and the drop down to 2A certainly helped, but you’re just never sure how things are going to play out in the playoffs.”

Added Page on Sunday: “We want to go win it, but we’re also happy to be back here.”

Henessey first reached state in 1969 in Class A. It also made trips in 2A in 1972, 1974 and 1989.

In Page’s first year, 2012, the Eagles reached the semifinals in 2A.

Hennessey has a 5-7 state tournament record in its previous seven trips.

The Eagles enter state with a 24-2 record.

They’ll play No. 2 Vanoss at 7 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals at Edmond North High School.

Vanoss was actually in Hennessey’s area, but since the two didn’t face one another, they were eligible to land on the same side of the bracket at state.

Northeast upset Vanoss, 54-43, in their regional final. Vanoss made its way through the area consolation bracket and returned the favor to Northeast, 69-56, on Saturday.