St. Margaret’s. The name alone is a complete thought for anyone who attends Sage. The plaid criss-cross pattern of struggle and glory that accompanies their mascot has been impervious to the lightning bolts hurled at them by the Sage Hill Boys’ Basketball Teams.

Going into the rivalry game Friday, Sage had only beaten St. Margaret’s once since the birth of the rivalry.  At the end of the night, the Tartans extended their reign with a narrow 44-41 win.

Senior Alfonzo Corona reflected on the weight of the game saying, “No doubt that since we started practicing in November, I kept in mind that we had St. Margaret’s in our first week of league.”

The 5-7 St. Margaret’s Boys Basketball Team, as reported by the coaching staff with complete confidence, was “completely beatable.” Going into the game the 8-4 Sage Hill Boys Basketball team scouted and developed a game plan they hoped would shock the Tartans and end the dry streak.

Along with intense preparation, the Lightning would get junior point-guard Dominic Sadeghi back from a concussion he suffered earlier in the season.

“I had just gotten back from a concussion and a trip to Australia a few days prior to the game. So really I had two days to prepare.” Sadeghi quickly added, “Next time I won’t be rusty. The team will be hungrier, and we will kick their [butt].”

Although the game was a disappointing loss, senior Chance Kuehnel had an impressive game. There are no formal reports but several of his teammates speculated his back must have been sore after the game from carrying the entire team on it.

Kuehnel managed to make half of the Lightning’s field goals scoring 21 of Sage’s 41 points. “I think my favorite play, if I am being selfish, was when I did that awesome block against the backboard and ran back and got a layup.” Kuehnal recalled.

The awesome block he is referring to was a key moment in the last three minutes of the game when St. Margaret’s was beginning to pull out of reach and end the comeback the Lightning was mounting. Junior guard Brennan Campbell attempted a layup when Kuehnel jumped up and batted the ball off of its course and right against the backboard. After securing the rebound he himself caused, he sprinted to the other end of the basketball court weaving through Tartans like they were traffic cones. At full speed ahead, Kuehnel was able to make the layup and bring the Lightning within closing distance of the Tartans.

After the clash on the court, Kuehnel shared his hopes for our next game with them on February 1 by saying, “I think next time we will beat them. I think we are going to develop as a team and as friends and become the best version of ourselves. It will be a hard road because I think we all have some fear and nervousness around them but I think we will overcome it and pull through.”

The Lightning play at the Tartans’ court again on Friday, Jan. 29.