The gym was packed Feb. 7 for varsity basketball Senior Night, with students in 80s and neon gear, ready for the free dance afterward.

“I thought it was really exciting there was a lot of positive energy in the crowd. [It was] very packed and loud a lot of laughing,” Josie Doughat said.

Mira Loma got the ball first and their point-guard mowed down #2 Joseph Silas within the first six seconds of the game. Sports Medicine staffer Matt Laux said that Silas most likely broke his arm.

“I feel terrible. Joseph is one of those kids that you only coach once. He’s a great kid and I was excited to see starting this game and I really feel bad and he’s a strong kid,” Coach Nick French said.

#4 Kris Corpus replaced Silias and the game started again. Mira Loma got on the scoreboard with a two-pointer. #3 James Kling got the ball shot three-pointer and soon after that #10 Cameron Ripple scored a three-pointer. Mira Loma then gets fouled and made a free throw. In response #23 Josh Jackson shot a three-pointer and with 4:14 on the clock, the score was 9-3 Whitney in the lead.

Mira Loma shot four free throws in a row and made all of them. Jackson rushed down court and got a layup after the ball was thrown in. #22 Moses Mack made a layup and with two minutes on the clock the score was 16-7 Whitney in the lead. #20 Collin Hawkins responded to Loma’s two-pointer with a layup. Mira Loma got a layup and Ripple shot a three-pointer. Jones joined in the fun and also got a three-pointer. Mira Loma got fouled and got to shoot a one and one. First quarter ended 24-11 with Whitney in the lead with eight fouls and Mira Loma with only one.

Ripple started the second quarter with two free throws and made both. Hawkins shot two layups. #11 Ryan McGrath made a layup. Mira Loma responded with two two-pointers. After some help Hawkins made another layup. #24 Josh Gallofin shot a layup. Then #32 Kyle Creighton made another layup. Jackson shot his third three-pointer of the night and Mira Loma’s #55 Jerry Karava made a layup. With only two minutes left on the clock the score was 41-22 Whitney leading. #33 Morgan Barnum shot two free throws and made both. Mira Loma’s Karava shot a layup and got fouled but missed his free throws. The second quarter ended 43-24 Whitney in the lead.

Creighton started the quarter with a layup. Mira Loma responded with four back to back layups and made the score 45-32 Whitney still ahead. Hawkins shot a layup which Mira Loma responded to with another layup. Jackson made another three-pointer. Mira Loma got fouled and made both free throws which made the score 50-40 Whitney up.

Gallofin made a three-pointer. Mira Loma shot a three-pointer. Kling got in on the action and made a three-pointer. Gallofin shot a two-pointer and Jackson finished his game with one last three. Ripple got another layup. Hawkins got fouled on his attempt to score and got to shoot two free throws but only making one. Ripple gets the layup and the game ended 66-50, a win for Whitney.

“I think the guys played well especially after losing on Wednesday’s game and especially since this team isn’t as bad as everyone thinks they’re are,” crowd member Sami Willis said.

French felt that the team did a good job in their final home game but wished it could have been better.

“I thought we actually came out and shot the ball well I wish we could have continued it throughout the game, but we ended up finishing [well we] got the W,” French said

Jones felt that the team did a good job trying to help each other out.

“I think I’d alright I knew it was the seniors last night wanted and I tried to spread the ball around. I got it to Josh Jackson [a few times]. I’m definitely going to work on driving to basket more and defense,” Jones said

The girls’ varsity basketball team’s final home game is Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

by ARIELLA APPLEBY