The varsity basketball team had its first game of the season on Nov. 19, playing against Vistamar High School at Park Century. The team won with the score of 30-21. The team consists of 12 players from ninth, tenth and eleventh grade. As their season takes off, the Oracle sat down with captains and juniors Nadia Charles and Ariel Heimanson to talk about the team’s dynamic and goals.

What do you love about basketball?

Ariel Heimanson [AH]:  I like the teammates and the team environment — we all really support each other no matter what we do. I know that someone else has my back, so the environment is really nice.

How does this season feel different from last year?

Nadia Charles [NC]: We lost a lot of our seniors in our freshman year, so we were a really good team back then — we were really strong. So now since we lost our seniors, we have been able to step up and be more of a leader to support our little sisters on the team and get better ourselves. We are really strong this year.

What was a specific moment you remember from your first game on Nov. 19? 

[AL]: I think, in general, we were all working really hard and we were all supporting each other every second. If someone would do something good or even [something] bad we would still support each other and move each other forward.

What are your goals for the team as captains?

[NC]: Our goal is to make it to CIF playoffs on Feb. 13. Also, our goal is to keep a very united and happy front within the team and make sure everyone feels supported and that everyone is happy on the team. At the end of the day, even if we don’t go to playoffs, I want everyone to take away that we had a very strong and loving bond.