By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Senior Night, Friday the 14th, stage is set with a final regular season matchup against the 9-8 Dedham marauders facing off against the imposing Westwood Wolverines Girls basketball. To start the night, the fans honored the Senior's hard work and commitment for the last 4 years, with an amazing ceremony. Those who were celebrated were Senior captains Charlotte Hurley, Caroline Nozzolillo and Mackenzie Kaiser, as well as senior players Madison Ward, Angelina Homsy, Grace Foscaldo, and Abby Law.
The game started off on a high note, as point guard Madison Ward, with a quick dribble had her defender stumbling away. Thanks to guards Ward and Charlotte Hurleys excellent passing, captain Mackenzie Kaiser was able to end the quarter with 2 trips to the foul line and end the game with a total of 15 points. Despite Westwoods best efforts, especially on defense, they could not stop Dedham’s ferocious offense ending the quarter 6-12.
In the second quarter, Westwood started strongly, catching up to Dedham 10-12, and multiple steals from Madison Ward followed by continuous fast break opportunities helped them take the lead. Again Kaiser led the charge, she finished this quarter with 7, while Lizzie Weeman knocked down two of her own threes. Rounding out the half, another onslaught of buckets by Westwood brought the score all the way up to 26-15, Dedham behind, an amazing comeback from the Wolverines.
Considering the already big score difference, the Wolverines momentum seemed to slow down, but they had no thought of mercy, as they kept barreling through Dedham's offense. The scoring prowess of Senior Madison Ward was captivating as she dropped 5 points in the quarter, finishing off one of her best games of the season. Thanks to amazing defense by Seniors Abby Law and Angelina Homsy as well as the support from the fans, Westwood was able to complete the quarter with a wide margin in front 39-25.
In the final quarter Westwood displayed excellence, but not just from the Seniors. Foreshadowing next season the majority of the quarter was played by Juniors and Sophomores, a symbolic end to the Seniors reign and the beginnings of next season's domination as Westwood was able to put up another 14 points.
Some highlighted players through this game were Seniors Mackenzie Kaiser, who put up 15 points, as well as huge defensive possessions, Madison Ward, who was dropping defenders and draining threes along with junior sharpshooter Lizzie Weeman who knocked down four threes, the fans certainly hope to seem more of her next season. In the closing moments Westwood remained strong, capping off the honorary ceremony of their Seniors with a decimating 53-28 win over TVL competitor Dedham marauders.
