Sweat dripping. Disheartened faces. Purple uniforms. The final buzzer goes off. The score shows 64-60.
The women’s varsity basketball team made the North Coastal Section (NCS) tournament . After persevering through two tournament games, they lost in the semifinals. However, their season did not end there. They made the NorCal Playoff tournament, where they lost 64-60, officially ending their season.
On March 7, the team played River Valley High School in their first game of the NorCal Playoff tournament. They lost the game which officially ended their season.
“Although we didn’t win NCS or the NorCal tourney, our season was really fun and everyone worked extremely hard,” sophomore Widdy Tevis said. “I feel like I bonded with my teammates and had an unbelievable experience.”
Tevis said the most important factor for a team is to play with both pride and determination.
“A good team never gives up and is supportive,” Tevis said. “These are all qualities that describe this year’s team.”
Junior Megan Tang said her favorite moment was the pregame ritual they had during the season.
“It started after our Alameda game,” said Tang. “We went undefeated after the Alameda game until we went into NCS.”
Senior Shannon Murphy said the first step of their pregame ritual was to go into the team room and meditate as a team.
“Then we turned off all the lights and and played music to hype us up,” Murphy said. “Our favorite song is God’s Plan.”
Tang said after the team danced in the locker room they would get a pep talk from their coaches.
“Our coach would tell us to imagine ourselves shooting a shot,” said Tang. “After the pregame pep talk, we would go scream at the top of our lungs to relieve our stress before the game.”
Tevis said that her favorite moments did not come from reaching the semifinals of NCS or making it into the NorCal tournament, but rather the moments she shared with her teammates before games, similar to Tang.
“My favorite moments this season have been getting super hyped up with my team before games and everyone dancing and laughing to music,” Tevis said.
Tang said the highlight of the season was when the team beat Castro Valley.
“For the last two years Castro Valley whooped our butts by 40 plus points,” said Tang. “This year when we played them, we were down by one with seven seconds left. Jasmyne [Huggins] got a steal and we won by one.”
Tang said she thinks the bonding between the players is what allowed the team to reach the NorCal tournament this year.
“It’s the same group of girls,” said Tang. “The only difference is we’ve had a whole year grow and develop and play together. We also have some really dedicated players who plan to play in college.”
Tevis said she keeps a positive outlook on this year’s team despite losing in the NorCal tournament.
“I am so proud to say I was a part of this year’s team,” Tevis said.
Although the season ended in a poignant manner, Murphy said she was proud of the team this year.
“It was the best final season I could ask for.” Murphy said.
