![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 Battle of Ridges Results in Both Wins and Losses
On Jan. 13, the Phoenix girls and boys varsity basketball team went up against the Lightridge Bolts in a doubleheader matchup. The Phoenix girls lost 46-22, and the Phoenix boys won 42-27.
![Senior Mehma Kathuria keeps the ball away from the Bolt defender. “Our game was together, we were playing with a new play,” Kathuria said. “[The Team’s] chemistry builds and gets better every game.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/use-this-e1676057711919-900x883.jpg)
Senior Mehma Kathuria keeps the ball away from the Bolt defender. “Our game was together, we were playing with a new play,” Kathuria said. “[The Team’s] chemistry builds and gets better every game.”
February 3, 2023
As the first 2023 “Battle of the Ridges” approached, students from both schools began to exchange blows about who would be the true winner over social media. This resulted not only in tensions before the game, but also high turnout from both schools as they prepared to cheer on their teams.
The Phoenix girls varsity basketball team started off the doubleheader. Despite the girls’ strong teamwork and communication, the Bolts dominated the court and quickly took the lead in the first quarter with a score of 18-2. In the third quarter, the Phoenix were able to improve their defense, which caused the Bolts to only score four points during the quarter while the Phoenix scored eight. However, the Bolts continued to hold the lead, and the game ended with a Phoenix loss of 42-27.
With the Phoenix boys’ win against the Bolts from last year’s winter season giving the student section hope, the boys matchup began. During the first half of the game, both teams put up hard fights, but the Phoenix were able to take a close lead of 21-18 at the end of the second quarter. However, during the third quarter, the Phoenix gained an unexpected momentum, taking a strong lead in the third quarter with a score of 34-21. The boys continued their impressive performance into the fourth quarter, and the game ended with a Phoenix win of 42-27.
The boys were proud of their win and how they performed. “I think we played really good defense that game,” sophomore Will Beck said. “We held them to 27, so that is the lowest anyone has scored all season on us.”
However, they also reflected on what improvements needed to be made for future games. “As a team, I feel we can improve on our connection, running our plays right and trusting each other, because sometimes we are out of sync,” junior Daniel Okoye said. “But [during this] game, I felt like we were really well synced.”
The next home game will be on Friday, Jan. 20 against the Broad Run Spartans.
![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)