As each second ticked on the scoreboard getting closer to the end of the fourth quarter, tensions filled the gym more and more as Elizabeth began closing the score gap. After Westfield had maintained a steady 10-point lead for the entirety of the first three quarters, the momentum shifted with three minutes left as Elizabeth found momentum and Westfield grew rattled under the pressure. With the Minutemen fouling multiple times, seniors Zach Epp and Tyshawn Pearson sank a pair of free throws along with a clutch 3-pointer coming from junior Max Maceacheron. The Blue Devils were able to hang on long enough, beating #11 ranked Elizabeth 56-46, allowing everyone in the gym to let out an exhale as the final buzzer sounded.
Senior Enzo Ferrero said, “I can’t say we weren’t rattled, but I think we were less rattled than we have been throughout this season and that really plays a factor in the outcome of the game.” Mimicking this same thought, head coach Jim Mckeon said, “Learning experiences; we’ve been up against top teams in the state at other points in the year and let them close the gap in the second half, but now we’re learning from that.”
The first quarter began back and forth between both teams, although Westfield maintained a slight lead throughout, ending with Westfield up 13-9. The second quarter was when the Blue Devils pulled away from Elizabeth, with momentum-striking 3-point shots coming from Ferrero and Maceacheron. Ferrero said, “Three pointers are always something that gets the team riled up, our bench always gets extra energy whenever somebody makes a three and it just really feels good.” The first half ended with a more distinctive lead, Westfield leading 29-18.
After a very dominant second quarter for the Blue Devils, both teams came out of halftime playing a defense heavy game. Both teams were fighting for a chance to get points on the board but neither team could produce. The scoreboard read 32-20 for the majority of the third quarter, reflecting this shared tight defense. Ferrero said, “We played really good defense today. That’s one of the best teams in the state and we showed how we can shut them down. Keeping them under 50 points the entire game is a great way to do it.”
The Blue Devils have been on a hot streak, winning their last four games in a row. They have faced tough opponents as well, with McKeon describing their schedule as, “We play eight teams in our conference that are ranked and we added another two ranked teams. We’re not even near counties and we have played 10 of the top 20 ranked teams… It’s important to play the best to know where we stack up and it’s going to keep getting easier as it goes.”
The Blue Devils are back in action Thursday night at 7 pm away versus #2 ranked Plainfield. Looking to keep their winning streak alive the Blue Devils look to, “settle down a little earlier in the game, in the second half we got the ball to the right people at the right time and converted where we needed to. We adjusted well to their high pressure and this game showed us our potential,” said Epp.
