On Jan. 4, 2024, the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) girls’ basketball team took on their rivals, St. Bonaventure High School (Bonnie), on the hardwood of the Ventura College gymnasium. Foothill Tech prevailed 49-32 over Bonnie in a competition which showcased electric shooting, dominant rebounding and energetic play to make them two and two for their league games this season.

Following the tip-off won by Foothill Tech, the two teams promptly started their offense. Petra Falcocchia ‘24 scored a three to get the offense going for the Dragons. Shortly after, Bonnie started their offense on the other end with a layup which made the score 3-2.

Foothill Tech broke off with a free throw made by Kiara Zavala ‘26 and a pair of layups scored by Alexa Taylor ‘24, as well as Falcocchia as a result of constant rebounding and precise passing. Their efforts extended Foothill Tech’s early lead 8-2.

Ensuing Foothill Tech’s burst of scoring, Bonnie closed out the quarter with a strong scoring run of their own which consisted of a pair of free throws, a layup as a result of a pick-and-roll and a pair of threes from the wing. Bonnie’s run put them on top 12-9 at the end of an eventful first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Olivia Mowad ‘24 started her scoring night with a mid range jump shot to start the quarter. Bonnie quickly answered with a layup in traffic which brought the score 14-11.

Continuing her offensive efforts, Mowad drained a three-pointer from the corner which tied the game 14 apiece.

Subsequent to a timeout, Bonnie answered with a three pointer of their own. Zavala and Taylor each clapped back with a pair of made free throws and a layup made in the post. Nisha Reddy ‘24 capped off Foothill Tech’s short scoring run with her first of many three-pointers. Reddy’s three-pointer brought the Dragons to a 23-17 lead.

To close out the second quarter, Bonnie shrunk the lead with a few free throws and a three pointer from the wing. In retaliation, Reddy left the crowd in awe with back to back three-pointers to continue her hot shooting streak. Along with free throws from Zavala, Foothill Tech ended the quarter with the lead, 31-23.

In the wake of an eventful half, both teams started making moves on the defensive end of the court. After free throws on both ends, the score was temporarily halted at 33-24. Both teams traded defensive efforts by forcing multiple jump ball calls.

The scoreless period was broken with a layup by Bonnie. Falcocchia responded with a putback layup on the other end which made it 35-26.

The highly defensive third quarter was closed out, as Janae Dixon ‘24 broke away and scored a fast break layup. With the clock winding down, Bonnie sank a desperately needed three pointer to end the quarter 37-29.

Foothill Tech dominated in the fourth quarter with a massive scoring run. Taylor made a tough and-one layup, followed by a put-back by Mowad. Reddy capped off her impressive shooting performance with yet another made three-pointer.

Bonnie finally dropped in a layup, but their efforts came too late, as Foothill Tech already led 49-32 as the game ended in a strong victory for the Dragons.

Coach Chuck Ferris spoke on how the Dragons prepared for the win. “We watched some game film,” Ferris explained. “We looked at adjusting a few things defensively that worked in our favor.”

With the win over Bonnie, Foothill Tech snapped their losing streak with satisfaction. In hopes to start a winning streak, the Dragons will look to triumph over Santa Clara High School (Santa Clara) on Jan. 11, 2024.