Venice’s varsity girl’s basketball team lost the City Championship on Saturday March 4, at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Their in-season record was 16-8, and they won every game leading up to the championship, but the girls lost 71-57 against Westchester High in the championship.

The girls were neck and neck the entire game, but after a switch of plays, they trailed by 15 points and couldn’t get back into the game.

“Even though we lost, the fact that we got there and the feeling of playing in that game is an amazing way to remember my last year,” said captain Melissa Kitagawa.

In their first playoff game on Feb. 16, the girls pulled off a win against Bell High School with a score of 65-23.

The girls secured another win against Garfield High on Feb. 22 with an impressive score of 48-33. Birmingham High lost against the Gondoliers on Feb. 25 with a close score of 59-55, which brought them to the championship.

“I knew back in September when the teams were set that we would make another championship appearance,” said team captain Zammiah Phillips. “Our team is young and talented. This has by far been the most exciting year for me as a Gondolier. We ended the regular season with an outstanding record and went into playoffs prepared to take on every opponent.”

“I love my teammates and there’s no one else I’d rather be here with at this point in our season,” said Phillips.

Although the girls lost the championship, they competed in the California State Playoffs. They lost their first game was on Mar. 8 against Rosary Academy with a final score of 40-58.