Junior Emily Hayes hugs senior Riya Rampalli following her speech. Rampalli and the other seniors on the team delivered roses to their parents.
The girls’ basketball team easily tamed the Faith Christian Lions, 53-12, in their Feb. 9 homecoming game.
But before the game, underclassmen honored their senior teammates with speeches.
Junior Heidi Johnson spoke for Yasmin Gupta and Katia Dahmani; juniors Bella Mathisen and Yanele Ledesma spoke for Esme Bruce-Romo; junior Emily Hayes spoke for Riya Rampalli; sophomore Jewel Turner spoke for Annya Dahmani; and Gupta spoke for Pria Nijhar.
“It felt good to (commend my teammates),” Mathisen said. “It was special since (Esme) is my best friend.”
Both teams started off slowly, but the Cavs took an early lead, finishing the first quarter 12-5.
Freshman Lindsay Burback blocks the Lions’ shooter after she rebounds.
Then the Cavs locked in on both sides of the court in the second quarter, outscoring the Lions 20 to 3.
The crowd, larger than usual because of the occasion, got into it, cheering on the Cavs after each basket, giving the team more enthusiasm.
“(As a team, we) have been more willing and confident to shoot,” Johnson said. “(We) also figured out (setting) screens, which is very helpful late in the game.”
The Cavs’ defense was even more impressive in the third quarter, allowing the Lions to score only one point. When the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the third, the Cavs held an overwhelming 46-9 lead and held on to win 53-12.
—By Bryce Longoria
