After a series of Senior Night announcements and group photos to celebrate the senior team members’ hard work and future aspirations, the varsity girls basketball team gathered to play against the Round Rock Dragons on Friday, Jan. 31. Although the team’s performance improved throughout the game, they were unable to make up for frequent scoring from the Dragons, eventually losing the game 52-22.

“Towards the end, [the Warriors] started to relax a little bit more, which allowed them to start taking more shots,” Head Coach Kelli Payton said. “I think they just kind of realized at one point that they had nothing to lose, so they just started playing relaxed, which gave them more confidence. We just have to start games like that, and complete games like that, instead of just playing like that at the end.”

The game started off with strong defense from both teams, preventing either team from scoring for the first two minutes. Ending the Warriors’ defensive streak, Round Rock scored a three-pointer and followed it up with a free throw and a series of 2-pointers that brought them up 15 over the Warriors by the end of the first quarter. Evading the opposing team’s defense, Ava Sartor ‘25 was able to pop in a layup with just 30 seconds left in the quarter, but the Warriors remained behind.

“We just have a hard time handling defensive pressure right now,” Coach Payton said. “We kind of get flustered, so I’d say [we have to work on] keeping our composure [and] we have got to do a better job of staying poised in pressure situations.”

Ten seconds into the second quarter, Sartor came close to scoring again before the Dragons’ defense cut her off. After this offensive attempt, the Warriors fell back and blocked their opponents’ attempts until Round Rock sank another three at with 5:30 left in the half. Throughout the rest of the half, the Warriors were only able to score five more points, ending the quarter at 32-9.

“We started hustling after the ball a lot more and giving more effort in the second quarter than the first quarter,” Lola Proano-Montana ‘26 said.

The game resumed after a performance from Warrior Pride during halftime, and the Warriors returned to the court with newfound vigor. Overall, the third quarter was defined by heavy defense and missed shots from both teams. Round Rock eventually scored a series of two-pointers, while Caroline Dougherty ‘25 broke through the Dragons’ resistance for another two midway through. In the last 20 seconds, Sartor made a free-throw and brought the score to 38-12.

“I think we still play hard — we still dive on the floor after balls and we sprint everywhere,” Coach Payton said. “It only takes you so far, but I always think they give their 100% effort every day. We were missing a key player, but we did have other kids step up.”

The fourth quarter began with a series of points from the Warriors, with Proano-Montana jamming a two-pointer less than 30 seconds after the clock started. Continuing to push back, Emily Graham ‘25 scored again at 5:32, setting up Hapka to net more points as the game came to a close, but it was not enough as the Warriors lost 52-22. And as the Warriors began to wrap up their season, the team reflected on their learning and bonding — as well as the bittersweet implications of a journey’s end.

“We never quit,” Lee said. “I am so proud of our team, because we’ve been coming off to pretty rough seasons and [seeing] our growth throughout the season and our chemistry really starting to bond. We’re all like sisters. This game was a pretty emotional one, because a lot of them are leaving. But I think this is still a great way to end, because we know how far we’ve come.”

The Warriors will finish off the season on the road against Stony Point on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m.