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Thomas Story, ’28, is blocked by opposing player while he has possession of the ball.
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Bryan Li ’28, shoots the ball.
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Thomas Story ’28, reaches to shoot the ball.
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Miles Fustes ’28, and Bradley Rogers ’28 prepare to block players.
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Avery Hilton, ’28, reaches to grab the ball, Khalil Alexander, ’28, is prepared to block a player.
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Bryan Li is blocked by opposing player, outstretching his arms. “We all worked hard
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Bryan Li passes Thomas Story on the court. “We were all motivated to work together as a team.” Bryan Li said.
Valeria Tjerina'
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Sully Russell, ’28, prepares to shoot the ball to Avery Hilton, ’28. “The energy was really good during this game.” Sully Russell said of the game.
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Isaac Richie ’28, blocks player.
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Bryan Li ’28, and Thomas Story ’28, prepare to block players.
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Ending their final game of the season, the freshman boys orange basketball team played against the Vista Ridge Rangers on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The Rangers maintained an aggressive game, but the Warriors came out on top with a final score of 42-36 despite the close match throughout. The game culminated with a tie in the fourth quarter that was only conquered within the last two minutes of the match.
The game had a quick start, as Avery Hilton ‘28 immediately popped in a layup. Spirits soared as the Warriors took the lead and brought the game to 6-4. The Rangers continued attempting to score, but consistently failed on their approach, deepening the desperation of both the players and the coaches. Crushing the Ranger hopes, Thomas Story ‘28 made a clutch steal and ran downcourt, aiming to score. But a Vista foul cut him short, giving the Warriors two free throws.
“It was aggressive, it was physical, but our guys played through it,” Coach Dezmunn Williams said. “Early on we kinda figured out that they’re gonna let us play physical, [so] just buckle down.”
The second and third quarters followed the same pattern, with hostile fouls and slow pacing. Vista Ridge took a small lead of 21-18, which they maintained until halftime. After some strategizing, the third quarter picked up as Owen Kim ‘28 and Bryan Li ‘28 sank back-to-back three-pointers. Jumping off of this speed, the Warriors went on a roll as the third quarter was finalized with a skillful play from Kim that ended in a breakaway shot, bringing the Warriors ahead 30-27.
“They were all really aggressive, so that made us all play better and we were more motivated,” Kim said.
The fourth quarter gave a momentous finale to an eventful match, as a rejuvenated Vista Ridge took a quick lead of 35-32. The Warriors fought back, but the Rangers remained persistent, tying the game at 35. Vista Ridge’s aggressiveness came back to bite them as the Warriors won two free throws that were quickly sunk by Brandon Lloyd ‘28. As the clock ticked on, the Warriors beat down the Rangers’ victory as Kim made two more free throws and Hilton scored another layup, setting the final score 42-36 over the Rangers.
“I just told our guys [to] stay calm in a crisis, don’t get flustered, remain composed, and finish the game the way we know how to finish,” Coach Williams said.
The Warriors rounded out their season with a final score of eight wins and nine losses, including impressive victories over the Round Rock Dragons and the Manor Mustangs.
