![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.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)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
After a shortened winter break and a week back in school, the Phoenix boys basketball team prepared to face the Loudoun Valley Vikings on Jan. 9. After a strong end to the first quarter and a long battle to the last buzzer, the Phoenix fought to the end but fell to the Vikings with a final score of 63-36.
Tipping off the Phoenix game against the Vikings, fans, players, and coaches came together to sing the national anthem despite a few technical issues. The game began with a quick basket made by the Vikings, giving them an early lead.
The Phoenix soon recovered and started pressuring the Vikings’ defense, not giving them a moment to rest. Senior Demarrius Stewart capitalized off the momentum and opportunities his teammates made while holding off the Vikings. “I look forward to having the momentum of the team to build us up,” Stewart said. “The crowd and bench players pump us up and get us poppin.” Their aggression paid off, as the Vikings were behind the Phoenix with a score of 19-13 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the Vikings returning the favor: constantly pressuring the Phoenix to tire them out. Junior Mekhi Motilewa and senior Kyle Desai were the backbone of the Phoenix’s defense during the second quarter, constantly pressuring the Vikings and allowing their teammates to break through their offense. Despite the defense the Phoenix put up, the Vikings were able to take the lead at the end of the first half of the game with a score of 33-27.
After feeling re-energized for the start of the second half, the Phoenix continued to pressure the Vikings. The players weren’t the only ones feeling the pressure, as both teams’ coaches were getting heated with calls made by the referees. Despite this, both teams capitalized on the fouls made by the other to regain possession and gain points to take the lead. As a new addition to the team, junior Alex Canfield worked hard on the sidelines to support his team. “Just being loud [is helpful],” Canfield said. “Trying to help any way I can by cheering with some of my other teammates and coaches [helps the team].” After some back and forth between the two teams, the Vikings maintained their lead to the end of the third quarter with a score of 51-29.
Wanting to end the final quarter playing the best they could, the Phoenix put their all into defending against the Vikings to make sure that they wouldn’t go down without a fight. Coach Jason Geyer carefully watched the Phoenix bench, assessing his players and seeing them work together first-hand against the Vikings. “We started off well,” Geyer said. “[But], we hit some adversity that we didn’t respond well to.”
The Phoenix fought till the end, but the Vikings ultimately won 63-36.
Despite the outcome, the Phoenix ended the game with their heads held high, knowing they put up a hard fight against the Vikings. “We hope to never have that night happen again,” senior co-captain Daniel Okoye said. “We will try to practice harder and be better[in the future].”
