EF showed grit and growth in a hard-fought match on Monday, February 2, after a late comeback attempt that brought the crowd to their feet, yet left a final score of 36–33.
The first half of the game really set the course for the second half showdown. At halftime, the Hawks were 10 points behind Westridge. However, momentum shifted in the third quarter, and EF found their footing and reclaimed the momentum.
By the end of the third quarter, the score narrowed to 24–23, setting up a tense final quarter in which every possession mattered.
Despite the loss, both Coach Rick Duque and Coach Jodie Pontino highlighted the team’s resilience and ability to overcome emotion. Duque said, “We allowed too much penetration initially, but the girls kept battling.”
Pontino followed that with, “We missed some shots, but we are gonna work on that for Wednesday.”
The coaches couldn’t identify an MVP, saying that everyone could fill that category.
Duque said, “They’re quick learners, and they all played well for being down.”
Moving forward, the team will focus more on controlling emotion, rebounding, and containing opponents on defense.
Player #24, Queenie Wang, echoes the importance of progress. “I think the game went very well,” she said. She also emphasized the importance of growth for the upcoming Senior Night on Wednesday.
Wang’s standout moment was her steals, and she laughed at how she loved that part.
While the scoreboard showed a narrow loss, the performance reflected a team that continues to grow in chemistry, competitiveness, and confidence as the season comes to a close.
Fight on, Hawks!