Girls’ basketball: team battles hard in CCS but lose in a close game to Branham

Senior captain Samie Davey ran down the court, ball pounding beneath her. The gym was buzzing with anticipation as the girls called out to each other frantically. So began the girls’ basketball team’s first CCS game against Branham on Feb. 28 at Mills High School.

The team went into the first round CCS confident after having a record of 5-7 in a difficult De Anza League. However, the game started off a bit slow as the Falcons were initially intimidated by a few of the big girls for the Bruins. As the game went on, however, they were able to get back their rhythm and play confidently.

Senior co-captain Mikayla Davis led the Falcons, going 8-12 from the floor and 3-4 from the line with 9 rebounds. Following Davis, senior Sara Parden had 7 rebounds and went 2-2 from the free-throw line.

When the girls found out that they would be playing Branham for the first CCS game, they knew it would be a challenge.

“I knew we weren’t going to win easily, and that if we lost, it would be a tough one because it would probably be so close,” said Davey.

“We swung the ball around really well, and began making more baskets than before,” said Davey.

The game was a close one, with the Falcons scoring right after Branham did. The girls fell short and ended up losing  48-45.

“[Branham] played really physical and the refs didn’t limit [them],  which didn’t really help us,” said sophomore Aryana Goodarzi. “Despite that, we played our hearts out and it was a really tough loss for all of us.”

The loss at CCS ended the girls’ season. Despite being in a higher league, the girls were able to prove their abilities in the De Anza League. For  Davey, this was an accomplishment, as it was the girls’ first season in a higher league in three years while having to deal with the numerous injuries players faced.

The girls were also able to win 50-41 at home against Wilcox on Feb. 18 in their senior day game. “I loved being able to play one last time in the home gym with my friends on the team,” said senior co-captain Jennifer McAfee. “We've been teammates for years now, through highs and lows and it was amazing to have friends on and off the court.”

The girls’ successes throughout the season included a victorious 61-57 win on Feb. 13 against Gunn. However, on Feb. 11, the Falcons lost to long-time rival Los Gatos for the second time with a score of 44-34. The team will continue to practice throughout the year in hopes of doing even better next year.

“This is the best team I’ve ever played on,” said Davey. “I wish I could have continued playing with them for a little longer.”