On the evening of Dec. 9, 2024, the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) boys basketball team faced off against Buena High School (Buena) at Buena. The game ended in a nail-biting fashion with Foothill Tech ultimately getting bested by Buena, 54-61.
The game started with Buena winning the tip off and quickly scoring a basket right away to go up 2-0. Foothill Tech was unable to find the basket on their first couple drives down court, but eventually, Ashton Brown ‘26 drew a foul, putting the Dragons on the board 1-2. Buena responded by going on a 5-1 scoring streak which was only slowed by a free throw from Nick Turner ‘26.
The Dragons not wanting the lead to grow, responded with a basket from Philip Blessum ‘25 and a three-pointer from Luigirey Guce ‘25. Foothill Tech seemed to have found their rhythm with another basket from Turner followed by a 3-pointer from Guce to put the Dragons into the lead 12-10.
Foothill Tech continued to battle for the lead with a 3-pointer from Brown, two made free throws each from Erik Hernandez ‘26 and Turner followed by another basket from Brown allowing the Dragons to hold onto their narrow 21-19 lead. The Dragons continued to apply pressure drawing two more shooting foals with both Brown and Turner hitting both free throws.
With the first half winding down Brown drove from half court to the basket making a beautiful layup. Paired with Guce’s free throw the Dragons end the first half with a 28-25 lead over Buena.
Foothill Tech came out of the half with a basket from Blessum and a mid range jump shot from Turner to put the Dragons into a comfortable seven point lead. Buena responded with a 5-0 run which was halted by Blessum drawing a foul and hitting a jump shot to add three points to the Dragons total.
Blessum spoke on his individual performance stating, “I think I played pretty well … I was alright defensively … overall I am happy with the way I played.”
Buena responded to the Foothill Tech onslaught and began to heat up, which was only tempered by baskets from Brody Baker ‘26 and Blessum. The third quarter ended with a buzzer beater three-pointer from Buena to put the Dragons down 39-43.
With the game closely contested both sides came into the fourth quarter ready to give it their all. Guce forced a turnover by Buena which resulted in a layup from Enzo Rivera ‘27. Buena continued to score at will as Turner tried to limit the damage with a one arm floater along with a layup to keep the score a manageable 46-50.
With the game winding down every play was crucial as Brown blocked an opposing player allowing Foothill Tech to gain possession of the ball and gain a point after Turner was fouled bringing the score to 47-50. Turner forced another steal and got a fast break layup keeping the Dragons close 49-53. Rivera got yet another steal for the Dragons allowing Turner to hit a much needed three-pointer to make it a one point game, 52-53. Unfortunately for the Dragons after Buena got fouled shooting a three-pointer the Dragons were forced to foul as time ran out. Blessum got the Dragons final basket to make the score 54-60 but time had almost run out as the game ended 54-61.
Turner spoke on how the team can improve moving forward saying, “Just being better as a team, not blaming each other and just playing hard on defense all the time not only when we are winning.”
Coach Brown shared his thoughts on what the team needs to improve on, saying, “Closing games out … Just play hard and fight for everything; we got to play hard for the whole entire 32 minutes.”
The Dragons will play next in the Ojai Valley Classic tournament at The Thacher School (Thacher) on Dec. 12.
