![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 Phoenix Freeze at the Hands of the Vikings
On Dec. 9, the Phoenix girls and boys varsity basketball teams faced the Loudoun Valley Vikings, ultimately resulting in both teams losing. Prior to the game, SCA also hosted the second annual Frost Fest winter tailgate.
Shivu Sathe and Sebastian Penagos
From warm festive fires outside to nail-biting moments at both basketball games, students were able to celebrate the upcoming break with friends and support both teams as they attempted to add another win to their record.
January 19, 2023
Frost Fest
On Friday, Dec. 9, SCA organized Frost Fest, the annual SCA winter themed tailgate filled with a festive night of food, bonfires, and movies for students to enjoy before the basketball doubleheader.
SCA chose “Frozen” as this year’s winter film, and students gathered on the grass beside the bus loop to enjoy the movie with hot cocoa, s’mores, and a bonfire to keep them warm.
Frost Fest was held from 5 to 7 p.m., before the girls and boys varsity basketball games started in the main gym.
Double Header
On Dec. 9, the Phoenix girls and boys basketball teams played in a joint double header against the Loudoun Valley Vikings. Girls varsity played hard, but ended up falling behind and losing 50-13. Boys varsity started out strong, but were ultimately unable to keep their lead, losing 56-52.
The evening started with the girls varsity team competing against the Vikings. Right at the beginning, the Vikings landed important shots that allowed them to secure a solid lead in the first quarter, 15-5. In the second quarter, this trend continued with the Phoenix trailing behind 25-7. Despite a good hustle from the Phoenix, they were unable to pull ahead in the last two quarters, resulting in a final score of 50-13.
“Even though we lost, I feel like we still put effort into it,” junior Cora Bowen said. “We could’ve scored more points, I was a little upset, but I still think we tried our best.”
Before the game, junior Daniel Okoye was optimistic about his team’s chances of winning and attributed this confidence to his team’s strengths. “Our biggest strength is probably our communication and our hustle,” Okoye said. “But we can always do better.”
The boys varsity team started out strong, with sophomore Mekhi Motilewa scoring the first points for his team. However, the Vikings managed to pull through by the end of the first quarter, leaving the Phoenix trailing closely behind 14-12.
The Phoenix and Vikings played hard, made great shots, and communicated well to get to matching scores of 20 to 20 by halftime. In the third quarter, however, the Phoenix rallied their players and managed to take the lead 35-34.
The fourth quarter was very close, as both teams constantly gained and lost their leads. With four minutes left in the game, the Phoenix led by two points, 45-43. However, in the last moments of the game, the Vikings were able to secure their lead by making a few critical free throws, resulting in a Vikings win 56-52.
![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)