Members of the Mechanical Science and Engineering team (MSET) found out recently that the robot they will build this year needs to be able to shoot basketballs and balance on bridges.

The girls’ basketball team is currently in the middle of the El Camino League competition.

Winter is the season of giving thanks, giving presents and giving back. It’s also basketball season.

This season the Falcons will have to step up in order to fill the vacancies left by the departure of five seniors from last year. Last year the team lost in the second round in CCS; the team hopes to build on their experience and progress further this year.

With three other brothers who play baseball and other sports, junior Kyle Dozier has grown up surrounded by competition—playing everything from backyard Wiffleball to varsity baseball at Saratoga High.

“My brothers and I would play sports all the time at home or at Congress Springs Park,” Dozier said. “They always kept throwing the baseball or football around or shooting a basketball and it’s helped me improve a lot throughout the years.”

The 2011 NBA playoffs were considered an instant classic. A series of compelling headlines and tight games culminated in a championship for much-maligned German maestro Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. However, recently a lockout, as the result of a disagreement between the owners and players has almost guaranteed that next season will be postponed.

As student and teacher fans filled out brackets at the start of the NCAA tournament, others played out Saratoga High’s version of the basketball craze. The annual March Madness event is a three-on-three, first to teacher points basketball tournament. The team made up of seniors Kent Paisley, girls varsity standout Arya Parhar and social studies teacher/girls’ basketball coach Mike Davey took the crown in a hotly contested bracket.

Senior Chris Guengerich is known for his stellar play as a wide receiver on the varsity football team. But he also gained a reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court.

In a game against Pioneer last year, then sophomore guard Shriya Nagpal dribbled down the court with 12 seconds left and the score tied at 52. She drove hard down the lane and shot over two defenders. Swish. She closed out the game with a steal and two free throws, leading the Falcons to a 56-52 victory, a moment she counts among her great achievements.