![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 Varsity Basketball Takes Down the Tigers
On Jan. 5, the Phoenix boys varsity basketball team went up against the visiting Brentsville Tigers. The game ended with a Phoenix win of 77-44.
Senior Basit Qadri tries to find another player to pass off the ball to his teammate without the Tigers stealing it.
February 2, 2023
Following a win against the Heritage Pride, the Rock Ridge Phoenix went against the Brentsville Tigers on Jan. 5. The Phoenix took home the win with a final score of 77-44.
At the start of the game, sophomore Mekhi Motilewa kicked off an early lead for the Phoenix by scoring two points after rushing through the Tiger’s defenses. Sophomore Trey Fitch scored six points with the help of Motilewa and made the score 8-2 with the Phoenix in the lead. This created tension for the Tigers, as they needed to catch up.
Fitch scored another two points for the Phoenix, followed by Junior Daniel Okoye scoring. Soon after, Junior Leonardo Gomado scored a point for the Phoenix with the help of Fitch mid-way through the first quarter. Since Junior Kyle Desai was able to steal the ball, both Gomado and Fitch were able to score three points and two points respectively, ending the first quarter at 21-3 with the Phoenix holding a commanding lead.
The first quarter showcased the skills the varsity team improved over the course of their season. Players such as Okoye spent their career in high school basketball honing their talent and bringing the Phoenix to new heights. “I’ve been improving mentally, my knowledge of the game, and I’m always trying to improve physically in the offseason,” Okoye said, “But you know, I’m trying to learn every single day.”
The second quarter started with both teams blocking each other from scoring, until sophomore William Beck broke through the Tigers’ defenses and scored for the Phoenix. Beck scored followed by Okoye scoring two points. Beck scored from the lane, and then again in a free throw after the Tigers fouled. With the crowd’s cheer to push forth and be in the lead, Gomado and Fitch once again scored, and Fitch was able to score a last second free throw and add to the Phoenix’s lead with a score of 43-19.
During the third quarter, the Tigers stepped up their game and forced the Phoenix to play mostly defensively; however, this didn’t stop the Phoenix’s momentum. Both Fitch and Qadri were able to score for the Phoenix in the sixth minute, and senior Nick Canfield was able to score a slam dunk as well. The Tigers were able to score a few points, but the third quarter ended with the Phoenix still in the lead at a score of 53-35.
During the fourth quarter, both teams had to put on their A game to conclude this match. Despite the intensity during the quarter, the Phoenix were able to make multiple shots and the match ended with the Phoenix winning with a score of 77-44.
Varsity Boys Basketball coach Jason Geyer was proud of the game’s results and hopes the team can make it to the playoffs. “I think we are good enough to be there. To the championships — we still have ways to get there,” Geyer said. “ So, that’s obviously our motivation to make a push and make it to the playoffs.”
Each member of the Phoenix joined the team out of their love for the sport and willingness to learn. Senior Stephan Stathis, has been playing since freshman year, and has been a vital part of the team. “I’ve been playing basketball my whole life, so it wasn’t really a question [to try out],” Stathis said, “ My passing and my defense have improved over the past four years in the team.”
The next boys basketball game will be on Jan. 20 against the Broad Run Spartans.
![On Nov. 22, students and staff competed against each other during the ninth annual Student vs. Staff Volleyball Game. The game ended with a 36-30 victory for the students, marking their third consecutive win and bringing the overall series to 6-3 in favor of the students.
The game was competitive, drawing significant anticipation as the teachers sought to even the score after last year’s loss. “We kind of know the strengths of people,” social sciences teacher Steven Mobley said. “There's a lot of staff emails actually going on about it, like who wants to play where and who wants to play when. So we're communicating a lot more this year than previous years.”
While members of the staff team focused on playing strategy and communicating with each other, the students walked into the game with specific goals they wanted to achieve. “I’m not violent, [but] I want to try to get Mr. Clear, and if not him, I want to get Ms. Leach,” senior Rishit Choudhari said. “I want to see Mr. Clear upset and frowning.”
The game began with the students and staff tying with a score of 10-10 in the first set. However, the students edged ahead during the second set, having a strong lead of 25-19. The final set saw both teams exchanging points in a close contest, but the students pulled away in the final minutes to secure the 36-30 win.
Senior Mihir Peta was crowned MVP for the second time, his first after the 2022 Students vs. Staff Volleyball Game for his dedication to ensuring the student team won. “I don't want to sound cocky, but it was expected, to be honest,” Peta said. “I won it sophomore year, I should have won it junior year, but I couldn't play. So I came back for redemption senior year.”
✏️ and 📷 by Ananya Karthik, Sophie King, and Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)