Basha’s Rocket League team during its match against Willow Canyon March 26 at Basha High School. (Ethan Cannon photo/AZPreps365)
Ethan Cannon is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com
CHANDLER – Basha High School’s varsity Rocket League team swept Willow Canyon High School 3-0 Thursday afternoon. Basha outscored Willow Canyon 14-2 over the three games played.
This win for Basha increased its record to 9-1 on the season, with its only loss against the reigning state champions, Valley Christian High School. With only two more games in the regular season, the Basha Rocket League team is in form and is preparing for the playoffs.
“I think we played pretty mid; that wasn’t our best performance,” said Jorge Coracides, one of Basha’s Rocket League players. “We were kind of messing around a little bit. We were not playing as good as we should’ve been as a team.”
Every player for Basha contributed, but Tomas Hanko led the team with eight of the 14 goals for Basha. While scoring three goals in the series, Coracides led the team with eight assists. Freshman player Walker Horn had three goals, three assists and registered 16 shots, according to PlayVs.
Basha won the first game of the series 3-0, but the players all said it was a slow start. After another slow start in the second game, Basha scored three goals in the final minute-and-a-half to win 5-1. Once Basha found its rhythm, it didn’t slow down and won the third game 6-1 to close the series.
“Everything after the first game was basically getting better,” Hanko said.
Even after a big win, Basha still needs to improve, especially its slow starts, Coracides said.
“Usually we struggle trying to produce in the first,” Coracides said. “That’s always something we have to work on.”
The three players for Basha’s Rocket League team have built strong chemistry due to the hours of practice they have spent together. The team has worked hard this season to be a championship contender, committing close to 20 hours a week playing at school and at home with each other, Coracides said.
“We’ve always had a pretty solid Rocket League team, but this year feels a little bit different because we’ve been able to consistently practice and the chemistry is through the roof,” said Basha head coach Reilly Sehl. “It’s really cool to see how they work together and build each other up. They’re probably one of, if not the most cohesive unit I have so far.”
With playoffs starting in early April, Basha’s Rocket League team is putting more focus into its practice with the hopes of a long run in the playoffs and potentially a state championship.
“If we can keep up with the reigning national champs, I think we’ll be okay to go pretty far in the playoffs and hopefully win state,” Sehl said.
Basha’s players recognize the opportunity that they have, and they look forward to a potential rematch against reigning state champion Valley Christian High School.
“I would say we’re prepared,” Horn said. “I think our only real matchup we have is Valley Christian. We should make it pretty good in the playoffs.”
