View a live blog of the game.

Leadership members invited over 700 students to the Facebook event, which was met with five maybes and 116 “yes” responses. Fans of MVHS basketball could head to the gym and watch six straight hours of Matador basketball, starting at 3:30 p.m. with JV girls. The gym was packed with students cheering on their friends, cheerleaders cheering on their classmates and parents cheering on their players and cheerleaders. The number of spectators steadily increased from game to game, culminating in a crowded, hot gym by the girls varsity game at 6:15 p.m. MVHS basketball’s first league game against Santa Clara High School on Jan. 9 was a big deal.

Girls basketball grasped at an early lead against the Bruins, but as SCHS quickly caught up and racked up points, the Matadors were unable to bridge the 20 point gap. MVHS lost 32-55. The team began the game strong, matching each SCHS point with one of their own, before eventually overtaking them 5-4 with senior Kaisa Rautiainen’s easy free throw after free throw. SCHS increased its intensity and took more shots near the end of the first quarter, securing a lead they would keep for the rest of the game.

By halftime, the Matadors were down 12 points, despite clean shots from senior Christina Jennings and multiple blocks by senior Hannah Pollek. In the end of the game, SCHS further solidified their lead with a steady stream of points punctuated by rebounds and shots by freshman Joyce Chen. In the final few minutes, junior Kirthi Gomatam brought the Matadors up to 32 points with a basket, but the team was too far behind to catch up to the Bruins’ 55.

Girls basketball’s next home game is on Friday, Jan. 16 against Lynbrook High School at 7:45 p.m.