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By Mila Besich-Lira
Parents, grandparents, family and friends all packed into the gym for what was the last home game for the 2012-13 Basketball season. Eleven Seniors and their parents were recognized at the traditional end of the season ceremony on Jan. 31 with games versus the Hayden Lobos.
Several of these young men and women have been playing together since they were in junior high, making the last home game of the season not just a high school finale but the last game for a six-year career participating in Superior basketball or cheer.
Some of the Seniors who will not be going on to play a spring sport the game marked the last time they will wear a Superior Panther uniform, and those final games played last week will be the last time they dribble the ball or attempt a three pointers.
Their next times on the gym floor will be for Prom and Baccalaureate.
Between the girls and boys varsity basketball games, each of the seniors were announced along with their parents or those the seniors wished to recognize for their support.
The names of the athletes and their parents were announced and the SHS Spiritline presented the athletes parents with flowers.
This year’s seniors on the SHS Spiritline were Alyssa Barragan, daughter of Sandra and Michael Barragan, and Yulissa Sandoval, daughter of Lupita and Ruben Ybarra.
Seniors on the girls basketball team were Nicole Godinez who recognized her mother Arlynn Godinez and grandmother Cindy Benson, and Christine Grap, who recognized her father Mikey Grap and Aunt Kayla Grap.
Senior members of the Boys Basketball team were Jesse Aguilar, son of Cassie and Tommy Aguilar; Angel Cardenas, who recognized his Aunt Hilda and Uncle Joey Cardenas; Louie Fuentes, who recognized his sister Alysia Fuentes and his father Louie Fuentes; Albert Mendoza, son of Mary and Albert Mendoza; Mario Padilla, son of Debbie Contreas and Jimmy Padilla; Raul Schcolnick, son of Anna and Raul Schcolnick; and Ray Villalobos, son of Maria and Lucino Pacheco-Galindo.
The 2012-13 basketball season was not the easiest for the Panthers. The girls varsity team finished their season a record of 3-18. The girls lost their last two games 52-26 against the Ray Bearcats and 23-20 against the Hayden Lobos.
The Boys Varsity team finished their season with a record of 4-14. The boys beat the Hayden Lobos 63-55 but lost to Gilbert Classical Academy 75-35 in their final week of season play.
The spring baseball, softball and tennis teams will begin practice this week. Scrimmage and regular season games and matches will start later this month.
See photos from SHS Senior Night online at http://bit.ly/WZqYXj. (Ashley Milagros Lira photos)
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