The girls basketball team defeated Dayton in the UCIAC quarter-finals last Friday; allowing only 5 points in the first half; the Blue Devils won the game 57–31.
The team came out fighting for every point, building a 10-point lead in the first 2 minutes. With 5:50 remaining in the first quarter, senior Co-Captain Carly Friedman was injured and sat out for the remainder of the game, but this did not derail Westfield’s momentum.
Westfield ended the quarter with a 3-pointer by sophomore Olivia Luzzi after a fast break, giving the Blue Devils a lead of 20–1.
The second quarter was just as strong, with juniors Jacqueline Knapp and Lillian Scott hitting a combined 13 out of 14 free throws, ending the half at 35–5.
Scott said, “I thought the team played well and everyone contributed in their own way. Our defense, especially in the first half, was suffocating, and everyone hustled, which held [Dayton] to five points in the first half.”
Dayton came out with renewed intensity in the second half, scoring nine points unanswered before Westfield regained control. The girls fought through the quarter; Scott hit a buzzer-beater to end the quarter with a 23-point lead.
As the half continued, Dayton lost steam and was unable to score. Westfield took advantage of rebounds, scoring 12 more points and ending with a score of 57–31.
Said Friedman, “We have all put so much hard work and effort into the season, and we are hoping to continue on playing with heart and as one big family.”
The Blue Devils fell to Union 52–41 on Tuesday in the UCIAC semi-finals, in which Knapp scored her 1,000th point, becoming the fifth female player at WHS to do so.
Said Knapp: “It feels awesome to be able to join Lil and the other 1,000-point scorers. Since we are great friends, it’s nice to be able to do it in the same season right after one another. We are always together when it comes to basketball, and this accomplishment just adds to it.”