The South Bronx Prep varsity basketball teams are an essential part of the HS223 community.

The team brings together students from both HS223 and South Bronx Prep to form one Cougar Nation team. 

Because of this, Senior Night for both the boys and the girls teams is a bittersweet moment for the entire community. 

On Friday night February 28th, 2025 before their second round playoff game, the boys and girls teams had their Senior Night. The players, coaches and families got an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our senior class including from the girls team, Anne Astre, Tamia Gonzalez , Brianna Brito, Nivialee Ayala and Morgan Vasquez, and on the boys team, Chase Perez. 

“It’s sad to leave this year,” Vasquez said. “Because I wish I had more time with my team.”

All of the seniors were called up by their coaches who gave beautiful sweet speeches about the player before handing them a poster with their faces on it and flowers. Then they were able to take pictures with their family.  At the end everyone on the bleachers applauded.

“It’s bittersweet to leave this year because it’s the last year of high school basketball,” said Brito. “You never really get those years back. But at the same time we get the opportunity to play college basketball with new teammates.” 

The whole crowd felt so proud of the seniors.  And so excited to see what their future has in store! 

“A piece of advice to the next class,” said Perez. “Remember the loss of this year and let it motivate you: get that chip!”