By Owen Ziegler
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
On Tuesday February 4, the Westwood Wolverines girls basketball team displayed excellence against the Holliston Panthers, Westwood coming into the game favored with their own record of 9-5 squeaked out a victory 40-39.
The Wolverines started off strong with a three pointer from senior Angelina Homsy, which propelled Westwood to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. Throughout this game Westwood displayed extreme teamwork. But, Westwoods defense seemed to crumble as Holliston fought back and even the score 10-9 at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, as Westwood jumped into the lead mid-way through 16-11 when senior captain Charlotte Hurley put up a play that should be featured on Sports Centers top 10 plays. She drove down the sideline and with a behind the back crossover the defender was dropped to the ground, and a quick cross back had the Holliston defender dazed, then Hurley put up a floater over two defenders to convert an and-one, completing a tremendous play. Even after that Westwood had trouble retaining their lead as every time they went up, Holliston seemed to come back. Finishing the half 21-18 Westwood in front.
Again in the second half captain Charlotte Hurley expressed a commanding presence, as Westwood jumped ahead 26-20, but time and time again they just couldn't hold on, despite this the game was tense from start to finish, with constant action. The 3rd quarter was highlighted by the tremendous shooting by junior Lizzie Weeman, who continues to knock down shots each and every game, on Tuesday finishing with 3 threes, two in the 3rd quarter. The great play on both sides continued, with steals and fastbreaks from junior Olivia Shea and sophomore Julie Hogan. While Captains Mackenzie Kaiser and Caroline Nozzolillo held down the paint through rebounds and blocks. With the quarter coming to a close Westwood held the lead 36-30.
The 4th quarter was tense, and some questionable calls went Hollistons way, which definitely helped them rally back to tie the game 36-36 with 4 left in the game. Some clutch free throws by Mackenzie Kaiser brought the score to 38-38 with 2 minutes left, then a charge drawn by Senior Madison Ward and a tough layup by Hurley brought the score to 40-38 in Westwoods favor. But something was going on with the foul calls causing a sequence of about three calls against Westwood in a roll brought Holliston into the bonus and the score to 39-40. The two consecutive foul calls against Westwood brought Holliston to the line for four chances to tie the game, but they didn't convert once, giving Westwood the W.
