On Dec. 18, 2024, the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) girls basketball team faced Santa Paula High School (Santa Paula) on their home court, at Ventura College Athletic Center. Foothill Tech walked away with a tough 50-33 loss
Foothill Tech started off slow after losing the opening tip-off to Santa Paula. Santa Paula, with high energy, set the tone for a long game with six straight points off of layups to start the first quarter.
Kiara Zavala ‘26 got the night started for Foothill Tech, with a pair of made free throws. Zavala’s efforts did not phase Santa Paula, however, as they answered back with another six points to open up the score 12-2 early on.
Zavala and Bella Baum ‘26 attempted to limit the early damage with back-to-back layups to close out the first quarter, with Foothill Tech still down, 12-6.
As the second quarter began, Santa Paula carried their momentum from the first quarter. On the other hand, freshly checked into the game for Foothill Tech, Jocelyn Morales ‘28 traded baskets with Santa Paula in attempts to stay within reach.
Zavala continued to lead the Foothill Tech offense as she answered every Santa Paula point with layups and free throws of her own. However, Santa Paula’s offense and defense kept their strength up to close out the half with a 26-18 lead.
The second half highlighted more offensive dominance by Santa Paula as they could not seem to miss with shot after shot finding the net. While Foothill Tech attempted multiple shots that unfortunately did not have the same success.
Zavala remarked on her team and individual performance. “As a team we did good, but individually I feel like I could have done a lot more for my team, scoring wise, and being a bit more aggressive.”
Despite the help of free throws, Foothill Tech found themselves down, 40-26 at the end of the third quarter.
After an eventful quarter for Santa Paula, their efforts were enough to close out the game down the stretch. Foothill Tech tried to make a late push with a layup by Sofia Vega ‘26 and a pair of jump shots by Malia Mowad ‘27 and Vivian Ryan ‘25, but Santa Paula continued to thrive offensively, closing out the game 50-33.
“[We didn’t play] the way that we know we can… Each of us here on the team, both the coaches and all the players just know that that’s not what we’re capable of doing for sure,” Foothill Tech head coach Chuck Ferris added after the loss.
Foothill Tech seeks bounceback wins on Dec. 20, 2024, and Dec. 30, 2024, against Glendale High School and Rio Mesa High School.
