By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
On the week of January 20, The Westwood boys’ varsity basketball team completed two back to back games against Millis on Tuesday and Cambridge Rindge and Latin on Wednesday.
The matchup against Millis was easily the most exhilarating game of this season; ultimately a last second shot dealt Westwood a loss, but the Wolverines played fiercely with strength and determination.
Following that tough game, Westwood was in for another, against highly ranked, and division 1, Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Coming in as the underdogs, captains Eli Ifrah, Matthew Preti and Mekhi Dickerson were able to pull off the upset 45-39.
The first game was highlighted by the great play of Rob Liriano-Alejandro who finished with 19 points. Through The game, Westwood and Millis were neck and neck, although Westwood was favored, Millis held strong. With both teams showing great defense the 1st half ended with a 21-22 lead for Millis.
In the 2nd half sophomore Adrian Ortiz scored 8 points with two threes, finishing the game with 11 points along with Mekhi Dickerson’s 8 points in the game Westwood went off, bound into the lead after hitting shots non-stop scoring 18 in the 3rd quarter compared to Millis’s 4. But Westwood couldn't keep the lead, and Milis scored 18 of their own evening the score and sent the game into overtime tied at 44. In overtime the teams were still neck and neck, and strong defense by Matthew Preti kept it that way. With the closing seconds Westwood was up 54-52 after a huge bucket by Rob but, a Millis player went up for the last second 28 foot three and drained it, winning the game for Millis 55-54. Despite a dreadful result, Westwood played extremely well.
After the heartbreaking loss, Westwood had to face favored division 1 Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Without any time to regain their energy and devise a game plan, Westwood fans came in ready for a defeat, but the players thought otherwise. Captain Eli Ifrah, with a hot hand finished with 14 points was the catalyst in their victory, and along with fellow captain Matthew Preti who earned the team maybe 3 or 4 charge calls against Cambridge, a huge number, and an example of his tough mentality on the court.
Though the underdogs, Westwood didn't show it, with excellent defense they were able to stay in front all night. But, with this game down to the wire and with little energy left in the tank for Coach Douglass and his team, the result looked to be similar to the Millis game. Thanks to two players who hit extremely clutch shots, first senior Corbin Horn checked into the game, and caught an offensive rebound then put up a tough bucket to put Westwood ahead in the last minute. Then, Rob Liriano-Alejandro, with the score close, faded away and drained a great shot, ultimately leading to the win for Westwood 45-39.
After finishing these games one for two, Westwood looked to the game that happened on Friday the 24th, ultimately winning 54-35 they capped off this week with a winning record. Looking to next week the Wolverines will play Norton and Ashland. While Norton will be a tough game, Ashland is 1-12, so don't expect much.
