On Dec. 1,  packed stands greeted athletes as the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) boys basketball team prepared to take on Ventura High School (Ventura). 

“Just really proud of the guys overall … they hung in there and got it done today and got a tough win against a hungry Ventura Cougars team,” Head Coach Jamaal Brown said.

The Dragons started off strong after losing the tip-off, but recovered the ball quickly after Erik Hernandez ‘26 knocked the ball out of play. A fast break by Nick Turner ‘26 led the Dragons to the first point of the game. A series of fast breaks by both teams and a corner three-point shot from Turner made the score 11-4, with Foothill Tech to the advantage, leaving four minutes to play in the first quarter.

A reach foul called on Ashton Brown ‘27 pauses the clock and allows for the first substitutions of the game. Sebastian Huovinen ‘27 and Enzo Rivera ‘27 subbed in, and Turner and Brody Baker ‘26 substituted out. Huovinen quickly made his mark and stole the ball from Ventura, and went on a fast break to make the score 13-6. Foothill Tech and Ventura battled up and down the court until the quarter came to a close, as Foothill Tech led 18-8.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Ventura regained momentum and, by halftime, pulled ahead by five points over the Dragons, making the score 22-19. Foothill Tech quickly looked to regain its gap after a quick layup, but a double dribble by Turner allowed Ventura to tie the game at 26-26. A jumper from inside the key by Zaiden Archuleta ’26 allowed the Dragons to take the lead going into halftime.

Gallery • 7 Photos

Ricardo Patino

Foothill Tech’s bench tried to rally the team after a tough stretch, urging on the players with energy and urgency. Their vocal support helped steady the momentum and refocus the group, providing a spark during a critical point in the game as they looked to regain control and regain the lead.

Foothill Tech started with possession going into the third quarter, but lost the ball quickly after a Ventura steal. Two quick jumpers allowed Ventura to take their first lead of the game. A foul was called as Huovinen made a three-pointer, and the following free throw assisted Foothill Tech back into the lead, 32-30. 

Foothill Tech and Ventura traded drives throughout the quarter, with crucial defensive plays by Huovinen and Brown, which allowed Foothill Tech to maintain a small lead of 42-41 over Ventura as the teams dove into the fourth quarter.

Ventura started with the ball, but Archuleta quickly changed that. A missed three-point shot from Turner allowed Ventura to take the ball the other way. Ventura followed with a corner jumper to take the lead with a score of 44-42. Foothill Tech and Ventura traded fast break points and kept the score tight,50-50, with under two minutes remaining.

A drive from Turner into the key allowed the Dragons to take the lead once again, followed by a time-out called by Foothill Tech with 1:15 remaining. A layup from Ventura tied the game with 45 seconds left. Quickly after, a drive from Archuleta and a missed shot by Ventura sealed the game, leaving Foothill Tech to take victory 54-52.

“The 2025-26 Foothill Dragons team will go down as the first Foothill team to ever beat the Ventura Cougars…we put together an amazing game and executed really well,” Coach Brown said. “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys, but to be an in-town rival for the first time is just an incredible feeling.”

“I’m just really proud of how the team played overall. We got out there and did what we had to do to take the victory…it’s a great feeling,” said Archuleta.

The Foothill Tech boys basketball team will compete in their next match on Dec. 5 at Hillcrest Christian.