![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)
The Final “Battle of the Ridges”
On Feb. 10, the double header between the Phoenix varsity basketball teams and the Lightridge Lightning varsity basketball teams resulted in a defeat of the Phoenix girls varsity team of 46-31 and a victory for the Phoenix boys varsity team of 47-33.
Sophomore Daniel Okoye (34) and freshman Trey Fitch (3) attempt to block Lightridge player Rishab Kantikanani (44). Okoye was able to block four Lightning shots in the game.
February 18, 2022
On Feb. 10, the second “Battle of the Ridges” commenced with the Phoenix’s third and final double header of the season taking place at Lightridge. The theme for the Phoenix student section was “Sleepin’ on ‘em” and the student sections for both schools were packed with high energy and spirit. The Phoenix girls and boys varsity teams faced the Lightridge Lightning in their last two games of the 2021-2022 regular basketball season.
The double header started off with the girls varsity team. The Lightridge girls were able to take an early lead and the first quarter ended 14-5. Sophomore Cora Bowen (2) was able to score two three pointers and junior Sruthi Dacherla (5) tallied 16 points to the Phoenix’s score. However, the Lightridge girls maintained a lead throughout the game, which ended with Lightning winning 46-31.
“We could’ve done so much better,” sophomore Isabella Lopez (32) said, “[All of us] realized that we did not do good today. We’ve played against teams where we got beaten by, like, 50 or something, [but] we still played better than we did today.”
The Phoenix boys varsity team was able to take a quick lead and the first quarter ended 8-3. The Phoenix would continue to stay ahead with senior Aditya Kamath (5) and junior Basit Qadri scoring three, three pointers. Both players combined for 26 points. “I think I did pretty good, I could’ve just stopped forcing shots at the end. I think everyone did great on defense though,” Qadri said.
The game ended with the Phoenix winning 47-33 and the Phoenix boys finished their season 12-10. “Even though we started out 0-5… we finished 12-10 overall, so [I’m proud of] the fact that we were able to overcome that and make that turn around,” junior Nick Canfield said.
![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)