Cheers filled the ALJ gym as the second quarter began, sparked by a big three from senior tri-captain Darby Hubner. That shot ignited a run in the Blue Devils game which turned a close contest into a blowout for Westfield.
Westfield came out a step slow in the first quarter, struggling to find their usual offensive rhythm and settling for perimeter shots. But rather than panic, the Blue Devils adjusted. The second quarter would become the foundation they would build the day’s success off of, outscoring Oak Knoll 54-21, where much of those points came in the second and fourth quarter of play.
The game was highlighted by quality paint play, with much of the offensive production and defensive control stemming from staunch domination from senior tri-captains Sophie Lane and Megan Logan who each had 5 and 8 rebounds respectively.
Junior Mairin Fowler, who garnered 12 points on the day, agreed on the game’s analysis, hoping that the momentum as the game went on carries into whoever the team faces in the semifinal round of the tournament. She said, “We entered into a good flow in the third and fourth quarter. Just moving the ball, making the extra pass, and we’re gonna take that same energy into whoever we play now.”
Westfield is now staged to encounter Union Catholic for a third time this season, the last time the two met the Vikings edged the Blue Devils 53-51 just earlier this month. Hubner commented on how the team looks to prepare for an opponent they know well, especially since the stakes are much higher this go around, “I think we just prepare for it, as we prepare for every other game, you know, watching film in the last game, seeing what went well and seeing what didn’t work so we can just prepare to make those changes.”
Fowler addressed the stakes, “It’s win or go home right now. So we’re just playing and doing all we can to keep being on the court with each other.” If Westfield can continue to swing the ball effectively, and penetrate Union Catholic’s defense inside, it would be very unlikely they wouldn’t come up on top in Wednesday’s match.
Well aware of the threat the team faces in Union Catholic, head coach Liz McKeon gave insight about facing the familiar opponent, “They are in our conference. So we’re gonna be playing a team for a third time, a team that knows us, and that we know. So it’s gonna be tough.”
