This is the ending of the 2025-2026 basketball season for the girls varsity basketball team who did more than just focus on their final record, but pushed through competition and gave all their energy in every game, not stopping until the final buzzer. This mindset helped them to make it into the CIF sections. This season, the girls focused on being positive, practicing good communication, and working together.
There were several players that had personal accomplishments this season that all lead back to contributing to the team. One of these players was Anandajap Dhami who averaged 7.7 rebounds per game, showing her determination to get the ball and had 169 points. Another individual was captain Scarlett Ponce who had 159 points.
The team fought through each game no matter what was happening. Even during close games or days when they were missing teammates, the girls supported each other with positive attitudes.
“It’s amazing what one team can achieve when not one person takes the credit. I think I’ve learned that over time,” reflects Senior Scarlett Ponce.
A memorable game from the season was Ripon beating Orestimba because of the intensity of the game and the heat that was built up. It was a very physical game with a tension between the two teams, which made winning even more amazing.
One thing that can be noticed from this team is when they make a mistake they own up, apologizing to their teammates as well as their coaches. They pick their heads back up and say that they’ve got the next one. Instead of bringing each other down, they build each other up by speaking positively and focusing not on the past, but what they can do so that they can have an even better future.
Senior Mckenzie Spear states, “We just had to stay positive and everyone had to be excited on the bench even when […] we’re losing, we just had to keep our heads up.”
While this season brought challenges, it also allowed room for growth. The experiences that they had this season helped them to build a necessary understanding of basketball as well as their teammates and they can look forward to an even better season next year.
Junior Lauren Peter says, “You just [have to] come back better than before and really just work hard to come back the best you can.”
The girls made their way into the CIF section play-offs by winning their game on Feb. 12 against Hilmar, 32-27. They continued into their first game of play-offs, which they won against River Islands 35-14. They then went on to play Central Catholic, the number one seed in the CIF section, and ended up losing 22-66.
If there is one thing to take away from this season it is to never give up and continue to press forward with hard work and determination.
