The Senior Night game begins back and forth with the Lancers and Phantoms trading baskets throughout the first half. Once the second half begins, the away section of the scoreboard is lighting up as the Phantoms’ dynamic offense proves too much for the Lancers to handle. After a hard-fought game on both sides of the ball, Cathedral comes out on top with the final score of 76-55.

The seniors may have suffered an unfortunate loss to the Phantoms on their Senior Night, however, they were still able to unite and move forward as the team advances into playoffs.

The seniors have played together over the past four years, where they were able to develop a strong bond with one another. On Senior Night they were able to reminisce over some of their favorite memories that they experienced while playing alongside one another. “Two years ago in the semi-finals here in the Carroll Center when we played Buena,” Steven Nava said. “Jonathan Agurrie had a last-second tip-in to win the game and we all rushed the court.”

“ My favorite memory had to be the Atascadero tournament that we just had this past year,”  Robert Herrera said.

 “It was a good team bonding experience and we had a good tournament run,” Herrera recalls.

The seniors couldn’t have gone as far as they have in their basketball careers without the help of their parents.

Evan Furukawa gave praise to his father for teaching him about “everything basketball.”

“My biggest supporter has got to be my dad,” Furukawa said.

The seniors took a modest approach towards their team’s roles, as they mostly focused on doing what was best for the team throughout their time playing basketball.

“My role this season was to help the team out as much as possible,” Steven Nava said. “I love my team, I love the people I got to play with.”

Over the past four years, the seniors were able to form a strong bond that clearly affected their performance as a team.

“Strong bond outside of the court helps us with better chemistry on the court,” said Elijah Ponder, the star senior forward. 

“ Our bond was something special,” Newton Acevedo said. “we got a lot closer than I thought we would and their my brothers now.” 

While playing basketball at Bishop Amat, the seniors were able to learn life lessons that they would carry with them for the rest of their lives.

“I remember learning that you always have to work for what you want and never give up when adversity hits.” Elijah Ponder said.

When the lower classmen remember the seniors, they identify how their basketball careers were positively impacted. They remember the basketball skills and leadership qualities that they will carry with them during their basketball careers.

Benjamin Rodriguez, a junior, said that what he would miss “the strong connection” that was formed over the three years he played with each of them since he began his career on the junior varsity team. He said the seniors’ legacy will continue to be passed down throughout the future generations of Amat’s basketball teams that will lead to them carrying on the honorable Amat identity.

“From Newt I learned to play smart,” Rodriguez said. “From Ponder I learned to go for rebounds, from Evan I know to always look for the best shots, and from Robbie I know to always play hard defense.”

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