![Phoenix gets in position to initiate the beginning of an intense game. “It's coming to the end of the season here, so [our goal] is to just focus on working harder,” senior lineman Ryan Abbondanza said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_0042-1200x800.jpg)
On Friday, Jan. 23, the Rock Ridge Phoenix traveled to Loudoun County High School, ending their game with a loss of 55-45.
The Phoenix came into this game with the motivation to snap their four-game losing streak and beat their new assistant coach’s former high school. “Our motivation was ending the [losing] streak and getting the win for Coach Alexander,” junior guard Drake Morris said.
Motivated by their recent triple overtime loss, they started the game firing from all cylinders, especially defensively, holding the Captains to just four points in the 1st quarter. “[In] the 1st quarter, we played really well, we were playing good defense and were scoring the ball easily,” junior guard Tyrone Weedon said. This resulted in the first quarter score to end in favor of the Phoenix, 15-4.
The defensive intensity continued into the second quarter, with the Captains being unable to score on the aggressive Phoenix defense, who held the Captains to just 12 points. This continued throughout the entire half, as the Phoenix held the Captains to 28 points at the end of the half. “I think [in] the first half, we felt so energized and locked in to play,” junior forward Filippo Gomes said. “We didn’t let any distractions tear us apart from playing together as a team, and that’s what helped trigger a great first half.”
The Phoenix struggled at the start of the third quarter as they started to give up points and were unable to convert points for themselves as well. “We started losing the lead, and that really started to shift the momentum [in favor of the Captains],” Morris said. While the Captains formed a strong retaliation, it still wasn’t enough to outscore the Phoenix, ending the quarter with a score of 35-24, still in favor of the Phoenix.
The fourth quarter is when the game’s momentum really started to shift. To start the 4th quarter, the Captains quickly started an enticing run fueled by their 2-2-1 press. “We stopped trying to run plays, because they kept trapping us [in the backcourt], so we had to just play basketball and test our individual skills,” sophomore forward Shawn Makassi said.
Although some adjustments were made by the Phoenix, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Captains’ rally, with the game ending in a final score of 55-45 in favor of the Captains. “We, as a team, didn’t take it seriously, and started to give up points on stupid mistakes,” Gomes said. “Once we started to pick it back up, it was too late because we gave them too much leverage, costing us [the game].”
This loss isn’t the end for the Phoenix, as they are now focused on building confidence and gaining a winning mentality. “After this loss, I think we as a team need to regain what we had at the start of the season that caused our hot start,” Gomes said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with us on the court; it’s just our mentality and confidence we need to work on… I know as a team we are capable of [winning] all these close games, but we fail in the last moments because we aren’t strong enough mentally.”
The Phoenix’s next chance to secure a win is against the district rivals, the Tuscarora Huskies, on Friday, Feb. 6.
