January, 2023
By Bryan Angeles Lopez, Managing Editor
Walking in the gym, packed more than any other game, you hear the room shake anytime KAC scores. Even though our Cardinal boys lost, the girls managed to win, and it still was a memorable night.
Before their games against NYOS, all senior players and managers received a plaque to recognize their four years of putting in work as a player and a student. The gym was full of supporting parents, students, and teachers all there to witness one of the most significant games this year.
First up was the Cardinal girl’s game against NYOS. NYOS put up a good fight, but were ultimately bested by our girls varsity team winning the game 32-23. The game was a steady win by the girls with NYOS trailing behind by a couple points.
When asked about how she feels having to say goodbye to the girls in their last game, Coach Hurst said, “It was pretty heavy, simply because they are the founders to my KIPP career, and they are like where everything started for me. So basically it’s like— they’re like my babies, so I just feel like your parents. As they get ready to grow and go then I get sad too.” Prior to the game, Coach Hurst admitted she felt nervous. “I’m always nervous before every game. No matter what it is, basketball or volleyball. Even when I know that we can win. I also understand sports, so just because I know that we can doesn’t also mean we’re gonna show up and do what we need to do,” she said.
Wanting to shoutout senior Danela Lira, Coach Hurst said, “I watched this kid turn from an unconfident shooter to the most confident shooter that she could be— and she’s super smart!” She also wanted to thank KAC’s athletics director Coach Carrizales and both teams of girls who she says “are loyal to me and keep me accountable and who believe in the things that I say everyday.” Coach Hurst mentioned that basketball is trying to work on an off-season training and possibly a summer league to continue improving.
Next up— our boy Cardinals. While they put up a valiant effort, they lost a close game against NYOS. It is also important to mention that this game was the second game KAC played against NYOS; in the first, KAC actually defeated and stopped a winning streak for NYOS. However, this loss also meant that this would be the boys final game.
When asked how he was feeling leading up to the game, Coach Johnson said, “I was a little nervous as well, just thinking about the implications behind the game. It was Senior Night and also it was our opportunity to make the playoffs for basketball, which is something we haven’t been able to do in a few years; and I’m looking forward to trying again.” With no more scheduled games, Coach Johnson says there is potential to joining a spring league for the basketball team next year, but for seniors, their season was over. Nonetheless, Coach Johnson said he was happy with the turnout and content with Senior Night.
When asked how he feels having to say goodbye to his senior players, Coach Johnson said, “This is a really tough class to say goodbye to. To be honest I have guys who have been here for three years on varsity, so I wanted to send them out the right way, going to playoffs, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. But just to see their growth in them these past three years… watching them become leaders and really just emerge as contenders in this league is just really great.”
And finally, when asked to describe the night, Coach Johnson summarized the ending of the season perfectly: “Magical. No we didn’t get the win, but just the environment we had gave it all the feels. It felt like a real game. Not only were the players nervous, coaches were nervous. There was a lot of intensity.” Coach Johnson also wanted to thank the fans and the support from KAC, giving a special shoutout to all the players for their time and dedication, especially the seniors. ”Not the end that we wanted, but, hey we made it and I’m proud of you guys. Can’t wait to see all you walk across that stage and be celebrated as you should be.”
And although the night didn’t completely end how we would’ve liked, it was still a memorable pair of last home games here at KAC with the basketball teams, specifically the seniors, feeling the support of the coaches and classmates building up to this day the most.
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