Girls Varsity Basketball Co-captain Rica Ho has concluded her senior season with a record-breaking achievement: the most three-point shots in a single game for the team. 

At a January game against John Adams High School, the Hawks were victorious, 71-25. However, 27 of those 71 points (close to 40% of the overall score), came from nine three-point shots by Rica. The previous record, according to Coach Lauren Caiaccia, was eight three-point shots in a game from January 2020. 

After the game, the team took a picture with Rica to mark the moment. With the whole team surrounding her, Rica held up the stats sheet, which logged her record. The rest of the team either pointed to her or held up three fingers. 

This impressive conclusion to Rica’s high school career comes after years of hard work getting to this point.

Rica’s basketball journey began in fourth grade at Saint Mary’s Elementary School, a Catholic Youth Association, where her mother introduced her to the sport. During her time there, she said she struggled and lacked experience, which placed her on the bench for most of her games. Her coach, known as Danny, pushed her to be a shooter and worked with her as her skills developed. 

In fifth grade, Rica joined Queens Express, an AAU team, and eventually decided to step away from swimming to fully commit to basketball. “I’ve always been someone who has to give it my all once I’ve committed to something. I [quit swimming] so I could put all my time and energy into basketball,” she said.

She joined the Townsend Harris Girls Varsity Basketball Team freshman year, but an ankle sprain presented a large setback. 

“I was out for about a month and a half,” she said. “It affected my mindset up until senior year. I worked really hard to get to the point I’m at now.”

“I thought I had to do it all alone, but during the summer of junior year, I decided to ask for help from my outside coach from the Asian league I play in.” She credits this coach with helping her move past the struggles she was having.  “I learned how to regulate my emotions better and to just play the game,” she said.

Rica also credited Coach Caiaccia and Coach Debra Chan for supporting and encouraging her throughout her time on the team. 

Coach Lauren Caiaccia described Rica as a hard working player who put in the effort to become a better player. “Rica has always been inquisitive, willing to learn, and attentive to the needs of the team as well as her own goals to improve as a player,” she said. 

Teammates praised Rica for her accomplishments.

Fellow senior Captain Amala Madubuko said, “Her feats serve as an inspiration which makes us want to emulate her skills.” 

Freshman Summer Ko said, “She pushes me to do better and work hard because of her high skill level. Rica’s accomplishment in breaking the [three point] record pushes our team to strive and has shown us that there are no limits.”

Junior Shreya Patel told The Classic that Rica’s presence is so impactful that she is sure that next season will not be the same without her.  

“Without [my teammates], I wouldn’t be as successful as I am at the moment because they make my experience on the team enjoyable and fun,” Rica said.

As Rica graduates from high school this June and prepares to go to college, she said that basketball will be part of her plans for the future. 

“I hope to play Division III basketball. If not, I want to play intramural or club,” she said.