The JV women’s basketball team faced off against the Stony Point Tigers on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, entering the court with loud energy for their final game of the season. The Tigers dominated throughout the whole match, with the Warriors pushing hard especially in the last quarter, but Stony Point still surpassed them 50-47. 

“Our season was very [tough],” Kylie Xu ‘28 said. “We were pushed to our limits but in a good way. Coach Juenke knew what we needed [in order to improve] and kept guiding us in that direction.”

Mantra Vivek ‘28 claimed the tip off in the opening quarter, allowing the Warriors an opportunity to score two baskets, bringing the score to 4-0 and giving the Warriors an early lead. Stony Point swooped past undefended areas and shot two three-pointers in a row, humbling the Warriors immediately. Westwood shot another basket, but Stony point answered back with another three-pointer. After a brief team huddle, Julissa Rodriguez ‘28 came up for a layup, but the Tigers cruised through, ending the first quarter 20-8 in the lead. 

“We were falling behind because we came in not mentally ready,” Xu said. “We were really good [during] warm ups but when we went out, [our nerves] got to us because our shots wouldn’t go in. Stony Point also had a player that kept shooting threes in the first quarter and that really hurt us.”

Westwood fouled opening the second quarter, allowing Stony Point another advantage to shoot. Following this however, Alexa Rodriguez ‘26 scored the Warriors first three-pointer, bringing the score to 23-14 with the Tigers still in the lead. Several minutes later, Stony Point fouled, giving Julissa Rodriguez ‘28 the chance to win two points for the team. Kylie Xu ‘28 followed with a jumpshot and Stony Point continued their streak of three-point shots, scoring one just before the buzzer signaled the end of the second quarter. The Tigers held their 28-18 lead going into halftime.

“I was really hyped and helped our team push when I got on the court during the second quarter,” Isla Wilson ‘28 said. “We had a slow start because we hadn’t practiced much that day, but whenever we have trouble passing, I try to make things run more smoothly.”

Opening the match after halftime, the Warriors fought hard, scoring two, two-pointers before the Tigers took them down once again 30-22. Varsha Shiva Ram ‘29 broke the Tigers’ scoring streak by battling through the Tigers defense to draw a foul, increasing the score to 38-28. Stony Point was on top, scoring another three-pointer just before the third quarter ended, draining Westwood 41-29. 

“[Julissa and I each] made a basket, so I was feeling hopeful,” Ram said. “Even though we were still behind, I didn’t feel like they were jumping ahead because I felt like we came in strong during the third quarter.”

Despite being far behind, the Warriors did not lose hope, holding out strong in the last quarter. In the beginning, the Warriors won most of their points with free throws. When the score became 42-35 with the Tigers still in the lead, Wilson scored a three-pointer, triggering excited shouts from the audience. Minutes later, Wilson scored a jumpshot, this alongside a free throw by Julissa Rodriguez ‘28 brought the score to 44-41. The Warriors were very close to tying, but Elizabeth Lowe ‘28 brought the energy back with two back-to-back three-pointers. They were now short by just one point at 48-47. But Stony Point secured their victory with a layup in the last thirty seconds, closing the match 50-47. 

“As a team, we try to acknowledge our mistakes and play through them,” Ram said. “I got a lot better at communicating and holding myself accountable during this season. I hadn’t always been the person who stepped up, but all the seniors on Varsity [Girl’s Basketball] really guided us with their leadership.”