In Venice High’s first-ever game in their new gymnasium, girls’ basketball won their CIF quarter-finals game against the Carson Colts 48-35 last Wednesday. 

It was an electrifying atmosphere and intensively physical game. Fans cheered passionately as the Gondoliers came up with deflections after deflections all game, leading to many fastbreak points.

There seemed to be a lid placed on the basket as the Gondoliers couldn’t buy a bucket in the first half with just 18 points, but their stifling defense kept them in the game. 

Coach Asjia Hasberry thinks the players had to take some time to adjust to the new gym.

“New vibe definitely, it was a little different, especially for our shooters,” Hasberry said.

The second half, however, was a different story as the Gondoliers finished strong—scoring 30 of their 48 total points to pull off the playoff victory. 

“Once they finally got comfortable, they started to hit some shots,” Hasberry said. “And when the girls started playing together, offensively and defensively, there was no stopping them.”

The Gondoliers would bow out of the playoffs following their 54-35 defeat at the one-seeded Taft Toreadors on Friday. Nonetheless, Venice’s debut in the new gym was a tremendous success.