Prior to showing down against the Vandegrift Vipers on the court, the Westwood Varsity Girls’ Basketball team took time to appreciate their educators for “Teacher Appreciation Night”. Following the event, the Warriors hit the court hustling and fighting to secure a victory against the Vipers. Although the Warriors racked up many points they still fell short, concluding the game with a loss of 64-42. 

“I was really excited to play tonight and I really love having a big audience,” Evelyn Bell ‘28 said. “Teacher night [helps to] fill up the stands and gives us a chance to show our teachers what we can do outside of school.”

Upon Vandegrift winning the tip off, Westwood was easily able to adjust into zone defense, giving the Vipers a hard time attempting to execute plays. Soon after, a pass by Hadyn Espinoza ‘26 was blocked by the Viper defense resulting in a lay up against the Warriors, starting the game 2-0. Shortly following, great passing and a calculated drive towards the basket was followed by a lay up from Iman Xu ‘28. This layup tied the game at 2-2. Finding their rhythm, Westwood was able to score off another lay up, after a strong pass from Espinoza which was converted into a basket by Emily Fry ‘29, bringing the score to 4-2. In the final stages of the quarter Theresa Bell ‘26 was able to score the first three-pointer of the night giving the Warriors a lead of 7-6, but due to fouls and other conceded points the Vipers finished the quarter leading 11-7. 

Coming off of a quick break, the Warriors began the second quarter with a throw-in by Evelyn Bell, which was followed by organized passes ultimately resulting in a second three-pointer by Theresa Bell, allowing the Warriors to now trail by only one at 11-10.  Soon after, Westwood’s defense became exposed and therefore the Vipers were able to score more points along with utilizing their defensive fouls  to widen their lead, 20-10 After a Warrior timeout, Xu drove the ball to the free throw line and made a lay up shorting the lead 20-12. The Vipers continued to expand the lead to 27-12. Shortly after, Xu would pick the ball from half court to drive towards the basket finishing with a strong lay up to help the Warriors now sitting at 33-15. Through a defensive foul on Westwood, the Warriors were able to win the rebound and have Xu score another free throw concluding the quarter down by 16 at 33-17. 

“I play to what the defense gives me, not what I will pre-determine, but it definitely felt good and exciting to break their press and get down hill,” Xu said. “Because my team and I have studied Viper defense for a long time, I knew they specialize in offense and not so much in defense, so I knew they were easily ‘blow-by-able’ so I kept that in mind going into the game.”

After half-time, the Warriors started with the ball again, having Xu make a strong drive to the basket which ultimately wouldn’t be successful due to Viper defense. The Vipers switched to a man-to-man defense making it hard on Westwood’s offense, but nonetheless Evelyn Bell was able to secure a lay up for Westwood bringing the score to 40-19. Promptly after, a great pass by Evelyn Bell to the free throw line supplemented by a lay up by Fry helped to secure 42-21. Throughout the third quarter, Westwood conceded multiple fouls which were converted to points off of free throws. Thus, helping the Vipers continue their lead of 53-23. Xu however, stepped up and through a series of impressive handles, she was able to dribble past players and finish with a floater helping Westwood, 56-25. As Westwood pushed up on the Viper defense, a foul was called on the Vipers, helping Westwood climb the leader board with two successful free throws by Theresa Bell to pull the score to 56-27. The set concluded at 58-29, with the Vipers maintaining the lead.

“I got my four fouls and so I got subbed out because my coach didn’t want me to foul out,” Fry said. “So that put me at less playing time. When I was in, I was like, let’s just  go, I gotta go. That was my mentality on the foul situation. I didn’t want to foul out, obviously, but I also didn’t want my fouls to limit me.”

The Viper’s set in motion the fourth and final quarter of the night. A defensive foul on the Vipers helped Theresa Bell secure one point through a free-throw, 60-30. The Vipers continued to grow the score board, but a rebound and pass from Fry to Theresa Bell produced another three-pointer. During the fourth quarter players: Xu, Fry, and Lola Montana ‘26 helped to score important free throws and win rebounds. Additionally players, Evelyn and Theresa Bell, did well communicating alongside initiating plays for the offense. In the final stages of the game the Warriors were able to win their rebounds and score more lay ups helping to lessen the score gap to 64-42 but the Vipers ultimately broke away with the win. 

“My overall take of that game was although the outcome was not what we had hoped we are still keeping our heads high and trying to look past that loss to come into our next game ready to play,” Theresa Bell said. 

The Lady Warriors’ will play their next game at Vista Ridge High School, on Friday, Jan.16.