In a thrilling game on January 14th, Ridgeview’s girls’ basketball team clinched a hard fought victory against Independence High School, with a final score of 48-44.
Senior Aubrey Aldan, who has been playing basketball since the age of five, played a key role in this win. When asked how the victory against a rival school felt she stated, “ It felt amazing, you can tell how much we proved ourselves in that game.” With an occurring difference from last season to this season Aldan includes there being previous bad blood within the team that has now been resolved this season. Aldan states, “ This season is amazing, the team has so much chemistry and everyone enjoys being around each other.”
Aldan believes that the toughest team they will face will be Bakersfield Christian High School. She states, “ Bakersfield Christian has always been a tough school, they always had us on our toes, but I believe we can beat them if we have our head in the game.”
Junior Akasia Jackson has been playing basketball for ten years. Reflecting on her team’s recent victory over Independence, she states, “ It felt so good to beat them, especially since we lost two players to them.” When asked how this season compares to last, she states, “ This season is going pretty good, I feel more confident than I ever have.”
Jackson also singled out Bakersfield Christian High School as the toughest opponent they will face. “Bakersfield Christian is always tough for every sport, but for basketball. Their team has a lot of camaraderie and a lot of chemistry,” she explained.
Campus security as well as head girls’ varsity basketball coach Eric Singleton is in his ninth year coaching at Ridgeview. “ I did six years on the boys’ side and this is my third year with the girls’,” he states. When asking Singleton what made him decide to become a coach he states, “ I just love the game, and teaching the game and what it has given to me and I just wanted to give it back.” The passion for both the game and the opportunity to teach it reflects a deeper sense of purpose.
Singleton believes that the toughest school might be Bakersfield Christian as they seem to be a tough competitor for most. He states, “ They are just the one mountain that we have not climbed yet but to win the league championship we have to get through them.” When beating an important school the coach is always a big key factor. Singleton shares his experience of the victory as a good win. “It’s always good to beat a rival, and it was really good for the girls’ to come together which is good for morale.” As he emphasized, victories against rivals are not just about the win itself but about building team morale and unity. Singleton’s main goal this year is clear, to win the league championship while also facing a top competitor like Bakersfield Christian High School.
