The Battle of the Ridges

On Jan. 12, the Phoenix boys varsity basketball team and the girls varsity basketball team played against the Lightridge Lightning. The girls varsity basketball team lost 38-20 and the boys varsity basketball team won 70-46.

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Amelia Chen

Junior Deric Gomado (1) dribbles through the Lightning defense and makes a slam dunk, adding two points to the Phoenix’s score. “I was a little nervous [for our first home double header game], but no [that did not affect me],” Gomado said.

Amelia Chen, Editor-in-Chief

On Jan. 13, the “Battle of the Ridges” commenced with the Phoenix’s first at-home double header. The theme was “Blackout” and the Phoenix girls and boys varsity teams faced the Lightridge Lightning in two intense games. 

The girls varsity team started off the double header. The score was close in the first quarter, with senior Aleeza Sadiq making a key shot late in the quarter. The first quarter ended with a score of 6-5 with the Lightning in the lead. The Lightning continued to lead throughout the rest of the game. Even with junior Sruthi Dacherla’s three point shot in the fourth quarter, the game ended with a Phoenix loss of 38-20. 

After the girls varsity game ended, the varsity boys came into the main gym and students began to pack the student section. After warming up with drills, the boy’s game started and the Phoenix immediately took a quick lead with Bill Djan (22) making the first shot with a free throw. 

The first quarter ended with a Phoenix lead of 9-4. The boys varsity team would continue to keep a strong lead through all four quarters with the help of senior Aditya Kamath and junior Basit Qadri. Together, both players scored a total of 44 points for the team. 

With a strong lead, efficient teamwork, and an energetic student section, the Phoenix were able to win with a final score of 70-46. “I think we worked well as a team and we will continue to do so,” junior Deric Gomado said.