On Friday, Feb. 4, the Phoenix boys varsity basketball team played the Parkview Patriots for their Senior night. Before the game, the team held a ceremony to thank and celebrate the seniors’ hard work over the past four years.  

Senior Ram Jayaraman has been with Phoenix basketball for three years. “[Playing on senior night] felt really good, I played really well. I’ve been waiting to get in most of the season. There was a lot of excitement, a lot of energy, a really big crowd so I felt good about it.” Jayaraman said.  

During the first quarter, the Phoenix rallied together to outscore the Patriots 22-9 with an incredible last minute buzzer beater from freshman Mekhi Motilewa (0). During the second quarter, the Phoenix extended the lead to 22 with a score of 40-18 at the half. 

The Phoenix kept their foot on the gas during the second half, extending their lead to 37 points. Senior Ram Jayaraman led the team, scoring 13 points in the third quarter and earning MVP chants from the crowd. The Phoenix ended the game in a dominant fashion with a final score of 79-38. “I think we did really well as a team, obviously scored [79] points.” Jayaraman said. 

The Phoenix Pit kept the noise up the whole night, cheering on the Phoenix throughout the game. Senior Samson Annavarapu, captain of varsity boys tennis, attended the game to celebrate his fellow senior athletes.  “The fact that we scored 41 [more points than the other team] and absolutely destroyed them really got the Rock Ridge side hyped up,” said Annavarapu.  “And Ram popped off — honestly, he deserved those MVP chants.”

Gallery • 6 Photos

Anik Mridha

Junior Basit Qadri (4) drives past the Patriot defense, scoring a layup and making the score 28-15 in the second quarter.