After starting the season on a 9-0 run, WHS girls basketball looked nearly untouchable. The wins came quickly, the confidence came naturally and the momentum seemed firmly on their side. But as the season wore on, the Blue Devils hit a three-loss stretch that could have fractured even the strongest roster. Close losses tested their composure, with practices growing more intense and expectations weighing heavier than ever. Instead of crumbling under the pressure, they leaned into one another. Rather than allowing frustration to divide them, the team responded by strengthening the bond that had been forming long before the first game’s tip-off, maybe even before their first practice.
This team’s chemistry did not develop overnight, as their roster is evenly split: two freshmen, three sophomores, three juniors and five seniors. It was built in living rooms before Saturday games, at dinners after practice and in laughter-filled psych parties where everyone was included in every conversation. Senior tri-captain Darby Hubner said, “We all understand each other, understand our tendencies and know how to communicate effectively with each other in a game and in life.”
Head coach Liz McKeon has seen her team’s growth throughout the season, not only in their gameplay, but in their way of communicating with one another off the court. She knows that relationships are an important foundation for building on-court chemistry. McKeon said, “They lift each other up. When someone is down or struggling, the other girls build them up and let them know they believe in each other.”
Senior tri-captain Megan Logan agrees that bonding with her team has been one of the primary factors for their success on the court this season. “It is so important to make an effort to get to know your teammates both on and off the court, and that having team activities creates stronger bonds that bring everyone closer,” said Logan. “One moment when I personally felt close to this team was at a psych party when we were all hanging out and playing code names. My team won, and we were having the best time hanging out and laughing together in a competitive environment.”
McKeon saw the team’s grit in their Union County Tournament semifinal game against Union Catholic. Prior to that, they had one win and one loss to UC, meaning the game could go either way. Ultimately, they pulled through, winning 61-56. McKeon said, “When players know each other’s tendencies, communicate well and trust each other, they play with more confidence and want to win for each other.”
On Feb. 21, Westfield lost in the finals of the UCT to New Providence 35-38. However, this loss does not define the Blue Devils. The Blue Devils plan to use their team chemistry to thrive moving forward in the state tournament.
