In sports there is no greater feeling than a rivalry game. On Jan. 17, the RHS varsity basketball team played one of their biggest rivals. The Ripon Christian Knights. Every time these two schools play each other it is a chance to prove who is the better school. After a 60-48 RHS win over Ripon Christian, they proved that they are the best team in the town.

The game started very close. At the end of the first quarter the RHS offense was able to score 12 points, while the Ripon Christian offense was able to stay close, getting 11 points to make it a one point game. In the second quarter, the RHS defense allowed only 11 points, similar to the first quarter. Meanwhile, the RHS offense increased their lead gaining 14 points in the second quarter, making the score 26-22.

Going into halftime, this was still anyone’s game and the Indians needed to hold this lead of theirs in order to come out on top. The third quarter went with a bang as both school’s offenses started off strong by scoring 17 points in the third quarter. This made the game 43-39 heading into the fourth quarter. With such a small lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Indians had to play sound defense and grow the lead in order to come out with a win. The RHS varsity basketball team did exactly that. The defense only allowed nine points, while the offense scored 17 points ending the game with a score of 60-48. 

Senior power forward, Marcus Madoski stated, “Following the third quarter you’re not really thinking, ‘Are we going to win or lose’. You’re focused on shoot[ing and executing] this play. You’re focused on all the moving parts in the game.”

After starting off the season with a four game losing streak, the RHS varsity basketball team have had a major comeback going 11-4 since then and on a five game  winning streak. Some of the most dangerous teams are those that peak at the end of the year, and that is exactly how the RHS basketball team can be described. Dangerous.