The Woodbridge High Junior Varsity Girls Basketball team suffered a challenging defeat on November 21, 2024 on home courts as they were overpowered by Sonora High, with a final score of 25-61. Despite the lopsided loss, the team is holding their heads high, using the game as a valuable learning experience and demonstrating their commitment to growth and perseverance.
From the opening tip-off, Sonora High took control of the game, building a commanding lead early. Woodbridge High players struggled to find their rhythm, particularly on defense, allowing the Sonora High offense to drive through with ease. Sonora High coming off a win in their last games had momentum to start strong.
But our Warriors were not ready to give up just yet with an amazing layup by freshman Maddy Momgjian, a 3-pointer by sophomore Asma Tayara, and 1 of 2 penalty shots made again by Momgjian.
However, turnovers and missed shots added to the challenge for the Warriors, who found themselves trailing by double digits at the half with the score being 9-33, Sonora High taking the lead. By this point, a Sonora High player had been injured badly in the knee and out for the rest of the game, giving Woodbridge an advantage since she was putting most of the points on the board for Sonora High.
“We were all expecting a good team but we worked in practice and set up plays to try our best, we worked too hard to not give it our all right now, no matter what happens we will leave it all here on the court,” said Momgjian, to build up the rest of her teammates before the second half.
Despite the deficit, the Warriors showed flashes of determination in the second half, continuing to fight through adversity. Tayara, one of the team’s top scorers, remained a bright spot, putting up 3 more points, along with Ria Rajguroo adding to that with a 3-point shot and more made by others, to tighten up the score a little more.
But Sonora, not willing to give any room, added 19 points to their score with a series of layups and making 1 of 2 free throws after being fouled by Woodbridge. Time ran out but Woodbridge fought every last second.
“It could have been better but we are getting there…we have improved since the season has begun, we work harder and harder every game and after every win or loss so we will definitely come back from this,” said junior Da’mani Walker.
Even though the scoreboard didn’t reflect it, the perseverance of the Woodbridge High girls did not go unnoticed and it is obvious to see that they will work as hard as they can to
improve.
When asked if she feels her team will come together later in the season Momgijan said, “110 percent,”
Looking ahead, the team remains optimistic, focusing on the lessons learned from the tough defeat. It’s not about the score at the end of the game, but the growth and resilience shown on the court. They remain determined, knowing that every challenge faced today only makes them stronger for tomorrow’s battles.
“We’ve got a long season ahead, and we’re not discouraged. We know that the work we put in for practice will pay off soon. This loss is just going to make us work harder when we practice,” added freshman Trisha Anthony, wanting the Woodbridge High students and staff to know that they are just getting started.
