![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“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)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“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)
Junior varsity boys basketball lost 48-53 against Capuchino High School in the Zhang Gymnasium on Wednesday.
Capuchino opened the game with a fast-break layup off the opening tip, but Harker quickly responded when guard Eric Zhang (9) responded with a three-pointer from the perimeter to gain a 3-2 lead. Throughout the beginning of the first quarter, both teams attempted to score off layups before defenses could set. The Mustangs regained the advantage on a pair of layups, but forward Mason Chang (9) answered with a layup of his own in transition to keep the Eagles within one point at 5-6.
Following a timeout, both teams scored three-pointers to increase the score to 8-9. However, offense began to slow for both teams, with multiple missed perimeter shots and turnovers. Eric tied the score at 9-9 after hitting a free throw, but two Harker fouls allowed Capuchino to gain a 9-12 lead through free throws. Eric scored a layup to close the quarter with Harker trailing 11-12.
“Everyone was definitely hustling up and down the court and putting in a lot of effort,” varsity boys basketball player Daniel Zhu (11) said. “But I think the teamwork needs to be a bit better both on defense and on offense.”
The Mustangs scored a contested layup to start the second quarter, bringing the score to 11-14. Center Rishik Sehgal (10) responded by scoring off an offensive rebound and drawing a foul to even the score. A floater from guard Kayvion Cruz (10) gave Harker the lead at 16-14.
Rishik continued to dominate the boards with rebounds on both sides of the court, but Harker was unable to get clean looks to increase their lead. Free throws from both teams and a Capuchino reverse layup tied the score at 17-17. Mason then knocked down a corner three and Eric knocked down two more in the following possessions. Eric capped off his shooting streak with a contested layup at the end of the quarter to give Harker their biggest lead of the game at 28-21.
“In the first half, we were rebounding and moving the ball well,” Rishik said. “Eric played pretty well today. He shot well, he moved the ball, he controlled it on fast breaks.”
Capuchino adjusted coming out of the halftime break by attacking the offensive glass, scoring off close-range finishes and putbacks to slowly close the lead. Mason responded with two free throws and Eric finished a layup to slow Capuchino’s momentum. However, repeated second-chance opportunities from offensive rebounds allowed the Mustangs to even the score at 32-32 with four minutes left in the quarter.
Guard Ethan Xu (9) buried a three-pointer, but Capuchino responded with a midrange jumper and a tip-in to take a 35-36 lead. Capuchino closed the quarter with a transition finish and free throws to maintain a 38-39 lead going into the fourth quarter despite a late corner three from guard Joey Diffenderfer (10).
The Mustangs opened the final quarter with a quick scoring run, but guard Alex Zhu (9) answered with a layup and a free throw on the following Eagles possession to keep Harker within striking distance at 41-43. After another Capuchino basket, Mason scored two free throws and Kayvion scored a layup to tie the game at 45-45.
Capuchino capitalized on a Harker shooting slump with three consecutive field goals, including a fadeaway after three pivots that brought Capuchino’s lead to 45-51. With less than a minute left, Harker was forced to foul to stop the clock. Joey scored a pull-up three to cut the deficit to 48-51, but Capuchino sealed the game late at the free-throw line following a Harker travel violation to end the game at 48-53.
“The game was so close, and at the end, it was so exciting,” parent spectator Terrence Wang said. “I thought for sure we were gonna pull through at that last moment, 48-51 — it would just take one three-pointer to tie. I was on the edge of my seat while watching it, hoping they’d be able to play over the clock. Everyone was watching really hard at that moment.”
The team now holds a record of 7-3 and will face University Preparatory Academy next at home on Tuesday.
