![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)
![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)
Currently in the midst of one of their best seasons in recent years, the Phoenix girls basketball team went up against a strong opponent, the John Handley Judges, on Friday, Jan. 12. Missing a few key players from their roster due to injuries, such as junior Kalen Walker and freshman Simone Diby, the Phoenix fell short as the Judges took the win 63-21.
At the start of the first quarter, the Phoenix kept up with the high intensity the Judges started out with. After a few three-pointers were made by their opponents; however, the Phoenix stumbled slightly. Keeping the Phoenix in the game as best as she could, freshman point guard Eryn Chemoiwa took charge, consistently driving to the basket and calling out plays to help her teammates get into formation. “Eryn definitely brings a lot to the team,” senior shooting guard and co-captain Cora Bowen said. “She brings the ball up and down the court, she creates plays, and she’s a freshman so she’s going to be here for a while.” Nevertheless, Chemoiwa’s efforts were halted by the Judges dominant offense as the Phoenix ended the quarter down 26-2.
Attempting to stay on pace with their opponents in the second quarter, the Phoenix had several close shooting attempts, as well as additional free throw points from Chemoiwa and co-captain senior center Isabella Lopez to add to their tally. However, the hard-fought battles of the quarter ended with the Phoenix down by a margin of 40-9. As one of the team’s leaders, Lopez took note of what caused the team to fall behind at times. “What doesn’t work for the team is learning plays on the fly,” Lopez said. “We cannot just implement something new in the middle of a game, we need [some] sort of practice with it first.” This unfortunate trend continued for the Phoenix, as they ended the third quarter with a gain of only three points, concluding it behind the Judges 52-11.
However, motivated to finish strong, the Phoenix refused to go down without making an impact, starting the fourth quarter with a new energy. After another set of free throws from Chemoiwa and some plays in the paint by Lopez and Bowen, the Phoenix put up their most points out of any other quarter of the game, with a gain of 10. While this last-minute run boosted their score, it wasn’t enough to change the outcome of the game, as they ended with the Judges claiming victory 63-21.
