Photograph by Trinity Graham
FOOTBALL
The Berkeley High School (BHS) Football team had a rocky start to their season, which continued throughout the fall. They ended the season with a 0-10 record. Wide receiver, quarterback, and strong safety Jaleal Evans reported that during the summer practices, the team was notified that their starting quarterback was prohibited from playing, forcing the team to shift around their positions. Furthermore, many of their players suffered serious injuries such as a meniscus tear, concussions, as well as back, shoulder, and ankle injuries throughout the season. However, during the end of the season, they had two games that Evans was proud of. “We actually looked like a team; we didn’t fight with one another or try to do our own thing. We were playing together,” said Evans. Evans was also proud of his teammates and coaches who didn’t give up on the team and worked hard to improve.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
The girls volleyball team ended the season with an overall record of 21-12, losing in the second round of North Coast Sectionals (NCS). As a team they served 188 aces. In the middle of their season, a significant amount of their players were getting injured and the team felt burnt out. However, the team persisted and pulled through, winning their first round of NCS, unlike the previous year. Last year they won only 12 games, versus the 21 that they won this season. “We worked so hard but still made practices and games super fun,” said senior and team captain Oona Bruss. She said she is going to miss seeing the team everyday. “We really are a little family,” Bruss said. Eventually, the girls lost 3-0 to Foothill in the second round of the NCS tournament.
GIRLS WATER POLO
The girls water polo team won 11 league games and lost 10 in the fall season. The Jackets made it into the first round of North Coast Section (NCS) championships where they lost to Amador Valley High School 17-5. Last year, their record was 11-7, with two games not reported, almost identical to their record this year. One highlight of the season for Water Polo Captain and Berkeley High School (BHS) senior Mihika De Souza was “beating Castro Valley (7-6) in the first round of league [playoffs].” In total, the team has scored a total of 181 goals, along with 265 steals. Between September and early October the girls went on an impressive six game win streak. “I love spending time with such inspirational girls, and I am so sad to leave them next year,” De Souza said. After initially dealing with pH complications with the BHS pool, the recovery the team has made is extremely admirable.
BOYS WATER POLO
The boys water polo team has a strong run, and overall did very well this season. They had an overall record of 15-9, and a league record of 5-2. The team scored 311 goals throughout the season and averaged about 13.5 goals per game. Jameson Wang, a junior and captain of the water polo team said, “The highlight of our season was beating the now league champions Bishop O’Dowd during the regular season.” Unfortunately, Berkeley High School lost to Bishop O’Dowd in the league semifinals in overtime, only a week after BHS beat them during the regular season. Wang said, “We really like to mess around but when we get in the water for a game, it is anything but that.” The boys made it to the second round of North Coast Sectionals, losing to Tamalpais 16-11.