By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Friday, January 17, The Westwood Wolverines girls’ varsity basketball team played an intense matchup ultimately spelling defeat 39-45 against the 6-3 Medway Mustangs. Coming into the game, Medway won their last 4 games, and were propelled into 2nd place in the TVL basketball so Westwood was in for a battle with their own record of 6-2.
Through the 1st quarter both teams showed notable defensive skill, In a very back in fourth game, the score was only 6-6 with 4 minutes left. The sheer ability the Wolverines posses on defense is incredible, almost always holding opponents to less than 50 points. On Friday that defense was led by Captain Mackenzie Kaiser who displayed excellent work in the paint on both sides of the ball, finishing with 14 points, she was critical in keeping the game close. At the end of the quarter a big three from Julie Hogan kept the score close, 9-12 Medway in front.
The excellent play from both teams continued in the 2nd quarter, as Captain Charlotte Hurley started with a long range three, and another one later in the quarter. With 5 minutes left in the half Westwood still kept the game close, and Medway only ahead by one 14-13. Towards halftime, Westwood had a huge offensive burst quickly scoring multiple easy buckets ending the quarter 25-21 Westwood ahead.
To start the 2nd half the Wolverines had even more offensive power, with excellent work in the paint by Kaiser helping Westwood to continuously put points on the board. Even with their ferocious offense Medway hung on, keeping the score within 5 points, they were able to power through Westwood's punishing defense and excellent offense. Thanks to Captain Charlotte hurley’s 9 points in the game, and a 2nd three pointer of the game from Hogan, Westwood was able to squeak out a 3rd quarter victory 35-32.
The last quarter was extremely intense, one of the closest games of the season which came down to the wire. Throughout the game, the team has been led by captains Kaiser, Hurley, and Caroline Nozzolillo, as well as Coach Katherine Clifford who’s late game strategy was superb. 5 minutes left in the quarter the score was 39-36, but unfortunately with 3 minutes left Medway pulled ahead 41-39. 2 minutes left, a questionable foul called on Westwood after some great defense led Medway to the charity stripe, but the loud crowd only let one drop in making the score 42-39. The Wolverines still had hope, a late three pointer or a foul would get them back in the game, but Medway’s defense locked them down, ultimately leading to a bunch of fouls called and Nozzolillo fouling out ending the game 45-39, Westwood defeat. Despite the result, the team played phenomenally, keeping the game close until the very end with their strong play, most notably in the paint.
