![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)
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Phoenix boys basketball team faced off against the Heritage Pride with a valiant effort. The game ultimately ended with the Pride winning 48-36.
The game started rocky for the Phoenix, as they focused on passing the ball around the court more and getting down the court fast to play good defense. Junior Akash Kulkarni led the Phoenix in the first quarter with six points, but despite their efforts, the Phoenix were still down to the Pride by a significant margin, 18-9, by the end of the first quarter.
The Phoenix kept the same intensity going, scoring seven points in the second quarter to pull closer to the Pride. Senior William Beck put up one two-pointer and one three-pointer for a total of five points. However, this was still not enough to bring Phoenix back into the game, and the score was 26-16 at the end of the second quarter.
In the second half of the game, Phoenix stepped up their game in the third quarter putting up 14 points compared to the Pride’s nine points, with senior Lorenz Penn scoring two three-pointers and Beck making a two-pointer and three-pointers, bringing the Phoenix within six points at the end of the third quarter. Despite the team’s slow start, they stay committed to their game plan after the half. “The first half was pretty rough, but the team found its rhythm after halftime,” Junior Siddharth Donthireddy said. “In the first half of the game we played horrible but in the second half of the game we bounced back.”
In the fourth quarter, the Phoenix came off the bench with a renewed sense of energy as they narrowed the lead to five points. Both teams played explosively, running down the court with hustle on both sides. The Phoenix were getting shots up, but unfortunately their shooting percentage remained low. However, what they lacked in offensive scoring they made up in sheer defensive might.
Filippo Gomes, a 6’5 a sophomore, is the youngest on the team and focused on his defensive play throughout the game. “I had a couple of good open shots that I could have made, but defensively I did pretty good,” Gomes said. “I think the rest of the season is going to be pretty good if we just execute our plays properly and continue to talk and communicate with each other.”
Although he had his downs, Gomes also made a few assists and helped the Phoenix come back in the second half. “We could’ve started off the first half so much better than we did,” Gomes said. In the end, the Phoenix showed a valiant effort in trying to get that end-of-game clutch but failed to succeed, ending the game with a final score of 48-36.
