With the home crowd roaring in the Field House and holding up many cutouts of players’ heads, the varsity boys’ basketball team continued their hot streak for a sixth straight win. After the Warriors jumped out to an early lead, the Vista Ridge Rangers attempted to make a comeback. However, the Warriors never relinquished their initial lead, and after increasing the margin during a strong third quarter they kept the lead in double digits down the stretch.

The Warriors came out firing on all cylinders and took control from the tip-off. With a lightning-fast 8-0 run that included 3-pointers from Santi Campos ‘20 and Zach Engels ‘22 and a put-back by Brandon Parks ‘20, the Warriors jumped out to a fast start. They continued that hot streak throughout the first quarter, moving the ball with ease and challenging nearly every Vista Ridge shot. At the end of the first period, the score, 20-9, reflected the Warriors’ fast-paced attack.

“We had obviously just come off the first [district] win with Hendrickson which was a good win,” Luca Cipleu ‘21 said. “We didn’t want to be complacent at the start so we knew we had to come out and start strong.”

However, in the second quarter, Vista Ridge bounced back and hit four threes as part of a 14-7 run that cut the deficit to four points. With a put-back from Christian Robinson ‘20 and a couple of free throws from Parks, the Warriors widened the gap to eight, and after a few late scores by both teams, the Warriors went into halftime up 33-27.

After halftime, the Warriors’ defense came out determined to stop Vista Ridge’s shooters and lock down the perimeter. In the third period, they shut down the Rangers’ offense, only allowing four points in the entire quarter. While maintaining an impenetrable defense, the Warriors spread the ball offensively with six different players contributing to the 15 points in the frame.

“We just wanted to play [tough] defense in the third and step on their throat,” Parks said. “We were pushing for a 25-point lead.”

In the final quarter of the game, the Warriors carried their momentum from the third quarter as they opened it with a 10-2 run to get that 25-point margin with a lead of 58-33. After that, they slightly let off the gas and the Rangers tried to make a late push, but the Warriors stayed ahead comfortably and an and-one by Quinn Farquharson ‘20 ended the game 66-53.

“[The Rangers] had a good second quarter and they have some kids who can really shoot so I was happy with our guys in the second half,” head coach Brad Hastings said. “We played just about all man [defense] and the guys did a really good job doing it. Brandon Parks, Santi Campos, Christian Robinson, and Marcos Martinez, those guys are great defenders and they play well together.”

The team will look to continue their winning streak at Round Rock on Friday, Dec. 20th.