![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
Phoenix Fall to the Huskies in a Nailbiter
On Jan. 25 the Phoenix boys varsity basketball team played the Tuscarora Huskies at home, losing 50-44.
During an intense second quarter, freshman Mekhi Motilewa drives past the Husky defense and gets a tough bucket to put them up by two points.
February 4, 2022
On Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Phoenix boys varsity basketball team faced the Tuscarora Huskies in a thrilling matchup. The Huskies took an early lead, going up 9-2, but the Phoenix, led by junior Basit Qadri (4) made some key shots, coming back to end the first quarter 12-10. “The first quarter was really good, we shot the ball really well.” said senior Anish Nandyala. In the second quarter, the Phoenix took it up a notch, outscoring the Huskies by four points and ending the half with a score of 27-25.
The second half of the game did not go nearly as well for the Phoenix, the third quarter ended with the Phoenix down nine points with a score of 39-30. Despite their third quarter struggles, the Phoenix battled back in the fourth quarter, bringing the deficit down to four. In the end, the Phoenix fell to the Huskies, 50-44.
![In a historic presidential election, voters nationwide turned out to make their voices heard. Virginia’s 10th congressional district had three key national positions up for election: president, senator, and representative.
In the race for the House of Representatives seat previously held by Democrat Jennifer Wexton, the Republican Party nominated Mike Clancy, while the Democratic Party put forward Suhas Subramanyam, a former Virginia General Assembly Senator. Subramanyam won the seat with a 52% majority.
For one of Virginia’s Senate positions, Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao faced off. Kaine took the position with a 54% majority.
For the White House, current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fought to obtain the 270 electoral votes needed to get the bid. News outlets worldwide tracked the results live, with close attention to seven key battleground states: Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. Trump ultimately crossed the 270-vote threshold early on Nov. 6, with the swing states playing a pivotal role in his campaign’s success.
This election was the first presidential race for many Gen-Z voters, who entered a sharply polarized environment. Adela Booth, mother-in-law of Representative-Elect Subramanyam, traveled from Connecticut to support his campaign, encouraging young voters to engage in the political process. “Vote,” Booth said. “Get involved in politics. Even [if] you don’t think it applies to you, it applies to you. You will carry this debt. It will affect your grandchildren and you have to do something about it. You can’t sit back and watch anymore.”
✏️ and 📷 by Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)