By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Friday the 13th, The Westwood Wolverines Girls basketball team face off against the Ashland Clockers in the first game of the season. The Wolverines enter the season led by senior captains Mackenzie Kaiser and Caroline Nozzolillo, and Charlotte Hurley. With this formidable trio, coach Katherine Clifford is eager to guide the team to a winning start and a successful season.
To start, the tip falls into Charlotte Hurley’s hands. Hurley led the team with a stellar 14 points total, showing she was more than ready to make up after an injury put her out all of last season. Expressing skill on both sides of the ball, she was dominant on defense causing countless turnovers, shifting the tide of the game. Westwood’s defense set the tone early, holding Ashland scoreless until four minutes left in the quarter as they jumped to a 9-0 lead, a remarkable display. Another stand-out player is number 33 junior Lizzie Weeman helped the team to a 13-8 1st quarter win with her 5 points in the quarter.
Although Ashland stepped up their game, they hit two big threes to start the 2nd quarter. With about 5 minutes left the score was 17-17, Coach had to act quickly, calling an important time-out to ease the first game nerves. The Wolverines came out bold, they started with a lock-down press, earning some steals and multiple buckets from the point guards Hurley with 8 points and senior Madison Ward with 5. Thanks to them, and the critical post work from captain Mackenzie Kaiser they fought back and dominated for the remainder of the half, ending with the game in their hands, 36-24 Westwood winning.
In the 3rd quarter, as both teams were struggling, especially Ashland, defensive powerhouses Caroline Nozzolillo, and Mackenzie Kaiser. Nozzolillo showed excellence off the glass, securing a mass of rebounds to help in Westwood’s cause. With 3 minutes left, the score was 41-27, a big lead for Westwood. As the clock ran out, the Wolverines score 5 in quick succession. The quick buckets put Westwood above Ashland at 46-29.
In the 4th quarter, Westwood absolutely dominated. With it being Friday the 13th, Westwood slashed through Ashlands defense. They went on a long, and destructive offensive run, the score came to 55-31 with 3 minutes left. Westwood took home a win of 59-37, making their record 1-0.
The Wolverines returned to the court this past Saturday, Saturday, likely tired, but a clutch overtime play by number 22 Angelina Homsy pushed the Wolverines to 2-0, with a 51-44 win against Lincoln-Sudbury.
