![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 Feb. 11, while celebrating the seniors, the Phoenix beat the Park View Patriots with a final score of 60-21 and ended the Phoenix’s eight-game losing streak.
Before the first buzzer sounded, senior festivities lit up the Phoenix gym. From the printed heads to the photo booths, seniors celebrated one of their final games in a Phoenix jersey with their friends, family, and teammates as well.
Starting in the first quarter, the Phoenix ran a special play for the recently hurt senior, Dawson Boupha, who scored the first three points of the game. “I was pretty happy when Dawson got that three [pointer]; it was pretty emotional for everybody,” junior forward Filippo Gomes said. As the crowd began to settle, the Phoenix boys started the game out hot, flying into a 16-0 run with less than a minute left in the first quarter. By the end of the quarter, the Phoenix led with 18 points while only allowing four in eight minutes.
Going into the second quarter, the Phoenix carried their original momentum into the next quarter. The momentum came with sophomore forward Shawn Makassi’s first mid-range pull-up. After many buckets, including a crowd-captivating and-one transition layup, the Patriots attempted a man press with four minutes left until halftime, though they still allowed 15 points while only scoring four for themselves. This led to the Phoenix having a 37-15 lead to start the third.
The Phoenix came into the third quarter with multiple defensive stops, highlighting sophomore guard Ashwin Rapolu’s back-to-back steals and senior Siddarth Donthireddy’s defensive rebounds. “I felt like it was a pretty big moment for me and the team, especially because it was a really big momentum boost,” Rapolu said.
This defensive effort allowed the Patriots to go scoreless until the 3:31 minute mark into the third. Offensively, however, senior guard Dylan Chemiowa and Makassi led the way, scoring multiple baskets each to give the Phoenix a 47-16 lead entering the fourth quarter.
In an attempt to stop the Phoenix’s offensive efforts, the Patriots went into a 2-3 defense entering the 4th. This didn’t prove effective, as junior guard Tyrone Weedon went on to score back-to-back baskets, leading the crowd into a craze. “I felt pretty happy, especially with the way the crowd reacted,” Weedon said. “It was just a good moment overall.”
As the game concluded, the season got closer to its end, especially for the Phoenix class of 2026. Throughout this season, though there were few seniors, they found ways to make impacts past the court. “I feel that we were a lot more connected on and off the court, and we were just pushing each other in practice as well,” Makassi said. “The seniors really contributed by showing their past knowledge from the previous years of varsity.”
Despite varying results this season, team morale and chemistry have remained throughout. The seniors took on a big leadership role during the eight-game losing streak, and the loss of starting point guard Dawson Boupha. “I think that the outcome of this season has varied, but I like how we are ending our season playing some of the best basketball we’ve played this season,” Donthireddy said. “It got rocky mid-season, but I think we’ve overcome that and have put the pieces together in time for the playoffs.”
The next chance to see the Phoenix play is their first playoff tournament game against the Heritage Pride on Friday, Feb. 20th.
