The Riordan girls basketball team kicked off their third season. 

Over the past three years, Riordan has been developing their girls basketball team to the highest skill level. The girls spent most of their summer and fall preparing for the first game in the winter. 

Many of them prepare differently before the season and have different stories as to why they play basketball. Some members of the varsity girls basketball team talked about key components on their journey through basketball. 

Aliyah Holmes ’23 said she has been playing basketball since the age of 8. “I come from a family of athletes and have played every sport, but I like basketball the most of all,”said Holmes. 

Holmes currently holds offers from Falander Smith college, Eastern Nazarene college, Fort Valley State University. Aliyah also participates in track at Riordan as well. 

Holmes also noted her close relationship with God. She said, “If that’s God’s plan for me, then I will continue the journey he is guiding me through.” 

    Ashanti Dias ’24 is a junior who has been playing varsity basketball her whole high school career. She and her sister Aaliyah Dias ’23 are the team captains this year. 

Ashanti said her goal this year is to take their team to a state title. She also said that often girls sports get put on the back burner but they want to change that narrative this year by being the best girls basketball team in the bay area. As of right now the girls basketball record is 3-3 and are currently on a 3 game win streak.