Surprise, Ariz. — The Spirit went toe-to-toe once again with the Hope International Royals, putting together a strong effort in a game that stayed competitive deep into the contest. Despite the final result, the Spirit showed fight, energy, and togetherness on both ends of the floor.
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1st half (34-37): The opening half was tightly contested, with the Spirit matching the Royals possession for possession. Darrius Kendall set the tone with three points, three assists, and two steals, providing steady leadership and defensive pressure. Zeke Viuhkola led the scoring with an impressive 12 points to go along with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Jerry Johnson added nine points and a steal as the Spirit stayed locked in throughout the half.
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2nd half (64-76): The game remained close early in the second half, but Hope International eventually created separation down the stretch. Hunter Richardson contributed nine points and two rebounds while continuing to attack offensively. Viuhkola stayed active as a playmaker, adding four points and three assists as the Spirit pushed to stay within reach.
As the season comes to a close, the program would like to extend another sincere thank you to the seniors. Their leadership, commitment, and impact on and off the court have helped shape the identity of the team. Their legacy will continue to influence the Spirit program moving forward.
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