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![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
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![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Girls basketball secures 46-36 victory over Independence High School in tense match
Members on the girls basketball team clap as the Eagles score. The team clinched a tight victory over Independence High School during a home game on Dec. 17, with a final score of 46-36.
December 24, 2022
The girls varsity basketball team clinched a tight victory over Independence High School during a home game on Dec. 17, with a final score of 46-36.
The Eagles initially got off to a shaky start, trailing behind Independence’s lead. However, Harker eventually managed to catch up and tie the score at 7-7, prompting a timeout from the other team.
“We struggled a little bit in the beginning with getting ahead and getting a big lead on the other team,” post player Emily Mitnick (10) said. “So that was an obstacle that was rough for us.”
Following the time out, both teams played with the same intensity, with neither team scoring. Point guard Claire Miao (11) then scored a two-pointer, shifting the score to 9-7 with the Eagles in the lead. Independence followed shortly after with a two-pointer of their own, bumping the score to 9-9.
From there, the Eagles proceeded to pull ahead. With a successful free throw and several two-pointers made in succession, Harker established a lead of 18-9. Independence missed both free-throws, and the Eagles held a lead of 20-9 at halftime.
Following halftime, the Eagles started with the ball, with both Claire and Emily scoring and bringing the score up to 24-9. By the time Independence’s team were given free throws, the score was held at 26-9. Independence began to gain momentum again following their two successful free throws. With the scoreboard at 26-15, Harker was able to take a slight lead with Isabella Lo (10) making the free-throws, bumping the score to 28-15.
Independence continued to play with renewed persistence despite Harker’s lead, the third quarter ending 30-20. Following the third quarter, Independence’s team played fiercely, scoring several times in a row while Harker fell behind. With the Eagles trailing 31-30, Independence earned two free-throws, giving them a larger boost of 33-30. Harker managed to make one free throw, pushing the score to 31-33. A time-out followed.
With one minute left in the game, the Eagles managed to tie the score at 33-33. Isabella made another free-throw, moving the score to 34-33. Independence came back with a three-pointer right before Isabella made two free throws again, tying the score at 36-36.
“We had a lot of defensive lapses,” Isabella said. “On offense, we also weren’t running our place right or doing what we were supposed to do. That’s why it was really close when it should have been a blowout from the start.”
An extra four minutes were added for overtime, with the Eagles taking the lead and scoring three two-pointers in a row that raised the score to 43-36. With one free throw, the scoreboard changed to 44-36, and solidifying the win, Isabella scored with a last shot. The final score was 46-36.
Post-game, Isabella reflected on the team’s performance and how the team could build upon following the game.
“We played really well during overtime, and overtime was what we should’ve done during the game,” Isabella said. “We have the fundamentals down but focusing on [the] details [in practice] will help us in the game.”
