Taking the court in a heated district rivalry game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, the JV women’s basketball team took on the Round Rock Dragons, going back and forth in a tight game. The final score of the game was 42-37 with the Warriors taking home a triumphant victory against one of their biggest foes.

Lola Proano-Montana ‘26 got the jump ball for the Warriors to start the game out strong. The ball was passed to Holly Vessa ‘26 who hit a three-point shot to put Westwood on the board with the first points of the game. The Warriors pushed through the tough Dragon defense and got fouled multiple times bringing players to the free-throw line. Vessa went to the line twice and both times made both free throws, leaving no points out on the court for the Warriors. Not only did the Warriors have diligent offense but stayed tight on defense. The final score of the first quarter was 14-13 with the Warriors’ offense keeping them in the game.

“I think as a team we played really good and steady defense throughout the game,” Hadyn Espinoza ‘26 said. “I also think our ball movement was great on offense.”

Starting the period with the ball, Round Rock was quickly shut down by a block from Proano-Montana showing her command of the court. The Warriors were on top of their defense, making multiple steals, and forcing multiple jump-ball opportunities to win possession. Ending the half with a three-pointer, Hope Davis ‘27 captured momentum for Proano-Montana who rose to the rim throwing putting up a shot for the last attempt of the half. The half ended in the Warriors’ favor 23-20.

“During halftime, we talked about strategy on defense and how to play the best defense,” Ella Steinheider ‘26 said. “Also keeping up our energy and being positive with both ourselves and our teammates.”

The Warriors brought the energy to the second half, in less than five seconds Proano-Montana forced her way into the paint, scoring to extend the Warriors’ lead. Proano-Montana helped maintain a diligent defense and quick offense throughout the third quarter, continuing to enforce her command of the game. Following a scoring run by the Warriors, Round Rock quickly called a timeout in the hopes of slowing the momentum the Warriors had. After the timeout, the Warriors kept the momentum alive with quick layups by Charlotte Crockette ‘27 and Steinheider. The Warriors kept their hot streak going the whole quarter and ended it with a buzzer-beating three-point shot by Abby Thailing ‘26 extending their lead to 34-26.

The Warriors came out of the break looking to continue their strong performance and capture an important district win. Although Round Rock scored the first points in the quarter, Vessa was quick to answer, stealing the ball away and running down for an open layup to quickly gain back their lead. Steinheider was efficient at getting open to allow for many open layups throughout the game. With only a few minutes left in the quarter, Vessa was fouled in transition allowing her to shoot two free throws. With only three seconds left in the game, Thailing was also fouled making one of her free throws, and ending the game with another win for the Warriors 42-37.

“I think we worked well as a team,” Ali Hight ‘26 said. “We played really good transition offense and defense and had a lot of cohesiveness.”

The Warriors will return Friday, Jan. 26, at Cedar Ridge to take on the Raiders.