In the first California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) matchup, the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) girls’ basketball team faced off against Crossroads High School (Crossroads) at the Ventura College Athletic Event Center. After a very close game, Foothill Tech prevailed over Crossroads with a final score of 36-32.
Foothill Tech started off strong as Petra Falococchia ‘24 scored a mid-range jumper and Olivia Mowad ‘24 made a lay-up off of a fast break. Nisha Reddy ‘24 built off this drive as she scored a three-pointer. During this streak, Crossroads only made one lay-up, the score 7-2.
An exchange of points kept the score even until Crossroads pulled up from behind the arc and knocked down a three to end the quarter in a score 9-12.
With the start of the second quarter, Foothill Tech was determined to make up the deficit. Falaccochia made a lay-up, and a successful free throw from Kiara Zavala ‘26 gave the Dragons the lead.
Following a travel violation on Crossroads, Lauren Kaller ‘25 made a lay-up. After this, Crossroads drew a foul in which they made one successful free throw to bring the score 15-13. As the Dragons tightened their defense, this proved to be Crossroad’s last point of the quarter.
Reddy went on a momentary streak of points, starting with a successful free throw off of a foul. She then went on to make a lay-up as well as a three pointer to go into half-time with a score of 21-13.
To Zac Crist ‘24, a dedicated supporter attending the game, “Once half-time was over and we were up, I just knew that we got the win.”
Though Crist was right in the end, Crossroads still put up a fight. Crossroads went on a scoring streak with successful lay-ups and a couple free throws to bring the score to 21-19.
Mowad halted this streak with a lay-up. Zavala built off this as she stole the ball from Crossroads to make another lay-up.
The Dragons were relentless as Falcocchia made a jumper and forced a turnover as she blocked one of Crossroads shot attempts. Reddy capped off the quarter with a three-pointer to secure a comfortable lead of 30-19.
With the start of the final quarter, it was evident that Crossroads had not given up yet as they made two consecutive lay-ups. Mowad responded by stealing the ball and passing to Reddy to score a fast break lay-up.
Following a lay-up by Crossroads, Zavala made a floater and after an exchange of lay-ups from both sides, the score landed at 36-29. The tension in the gym spiked when Crossroads made a three-pointer as the Dragon’s lead was shrunk to a mere four points. But the tight defense on Foothill Tech’s end prevented Crossroads from scoring again. The close game ended in a score of 36-32.
Coach Chuck Ferris spoke on the team’s performance, “These girls are playing some of their best basketball right now when it’s needed the most.”
The Foothill Tech girls’ basketball team will move on to the second round of CIF in which they will face off against Cantwell Sacred-Heart of Mary High School on their home court.
