December 5, 2025 at 4 p.m. the EF Academy Pasadena girls basketball team delivered one of their strongest and most focused performances of the season, securing a commanding 46–23 win over Southwestern School. The victory marks their third straight win and reinforces the team’s growing confidence as they continue their early-season momentum.
From the opening, EF Academy set the tone with aggressive defense and quick, coordinated ball movement. Southwestern struggled to break through the pressure, leading to early turnovers that helped EF take control of the game.
Throughout the four quarters, EF Academy maintained steady control while showing clear growth in strategy and communication. The first half opened with strong defensive pressure and quick transitions—Anna Helgesen led early scoring with fast drives to the basket, while Noemi Villanueva shut down Southwestern’s key attackers and created multiple turnovers.
In the second quarter, the Lions’ momentum grew as Samira Schaffer’s fast-break play energized both the bench and the crowd, helping the team extend their lead going into halftime.
Southwestern attempted to tighten their defense and push the pace in the third quarter,
but the Lions responded with calm ball movement and disciplined shot selection.
By the fourth quarter, EF fully regained control, dominating possession and closing the game with strong execution on both ends. Helgesen secured her top-scorer title with a clean mid-range shot, Villanueva and Queenie Wang continued to anchor the defense that sealed the 46–23 victory.
During this game, our top scorer was Helgesen and the best defenders were Villanueva and Wang. Momentum shifter Schaffer was another key player in this match. Each player contributed to the overall energy of the team, reflecting a balanced and well-coordinated roster.
Wang who showed her effort in this game said, “We are trying our best to cooperate with each other and score as much as we can. Actually it is an experience for me to know different
kinds of play types of [different] schools and I’m learning from the game.”
Rick Duque, the coach, expressed strong pride in the team’s development, “They are a group of quality young women—responsible, dedicated, fun to be around, and hard-working. It’s enjoyable to watch their growth. We have depth with a roster of 13 athletes, and they are aggressive and want to compete. Nothing in basketball or in life is handed to you—you earn it. I also love how many of them are trying something new and are willing to learn, listen, and keep improving.”
Also one of the audience members, Ingram Chung said, “I watched every game of girl basketball and I’m so surprised that they were winning the whole time. Even though one of their main guards was injured, they still played well and won the game.”
Friday’s win showed the team’s steady growth, stronger communication, and ability to adapt even when injured. Their confidence, effort and teamwork have noticeably improved each game. As the season continues, EF Academy girl’s basketball team aims to carry this momentum forward.