On Dec. 11, the Phoenix girls varsity basketball played their first home game, marking the start of the season. The game was against the Stone Bridge Bulldogs, resulting in a Phoenix loss, with the final score being 48-38. 

Starting out the first quarter, the Phoenix girls pushed hard, while the Bulldogs responded with strong defense. While both teams gave it their all,  the quarter ended 11-6 in the Bulldogs’ favor. The second quarter was tough as the Phoenix tried to make a comeback. “It was really intense and my heart was racing because of the game and all the people who came to cheer us on,” sophomore Nada Elsayed said. The second quarter ended, transitioning to halftime with a score of  15-7 with the Bulldogs in the lead.

Once the third quarter rolled around, the Phoenix enthusiasm was still going strong. Sophomore Simone Diby made three free throws, giving the Phoenix a boost on the scoreboard. “Simone managed to communicate and talk to her teammates well,” girls varsity basketball manager Madison Kim said. “Although the opponents were very challenging, she managed to focus and keep her concentration, and, overall, the team play was very nice.” 

The third quarter ended with the score at 21-16, with the Bulldogs keeping their lead. As the night came to an end, both teams worked hard for the win. Despite the Phoenix’s efforts, however, the Bulldogs completed the fourth quarter with a win.

Though the night did not end in the way they wanted, the Phoenix girls decided to focus on how to improve. “[What we can do to improve is] getting back on defense and identifying what we’re running, and running it consistently,” senior Kalen Walker said. With their efforts to focus on defense and maintaining consistency in their play, they aim to turn their challenges into growth opportunities moving forward this season.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Lia Davis

Senior Rhema Nzolameso (24) attempts to get out of reach of the opponent's hand to then pass the ball to her teammate.