The varsity girls’ basketball team triumphed over Cedar Ridge on Friday, Jan 11, finishing with a strong score of 58-42. The Warriors had previously lost to the Raiders in an away game, and were able to get their revenge this time around. This match also served as Faculty Night, with several teachers in attendance and a raffle with prizes including gift card and other Westwood themed merchandise.

“There were a lot of teachers in the stands tonight,” Principal Mario Acosta said. “I always like to see our teachers coming out and supporting the students.”

The match opened up with the national anthem performed by Gabreauna Nash ‘21, which was met with thunderous applause. The first quarter began with a back-to-back two and three-pointers from Makayla Coy ‘19, followed by another three-pointer from Danielle Davalos ‘19. The Raiders were quick to respond with points of their own. Desi Davalos ‘19 played excellent defense, keeping her opponents from scoring while also making a two-pointer. It was at this point where both teams became increasingly aggressive, with one play including a Raider player bringing two Warriors down to the ground. Despite the hostility, the Warriors still managed to score more points, with Kenzie Beckham ‘21 making a rebound and passing to Davalos ‘19, who made a successful two-pointer. Beckham later scored a three-pointer, and the Raiders attempted to catch up with a successful free throw and a two-pointer. However, they were still way behind, and another two-pointer from Oni Boodoo ‘19 only pushed them further and further away, ending the first quarter with a score of 21-8 in favor of the Warriors.

“I think we did really well,” Anisha Chintala ‘21 said. “There were some times that we were falling under their pressure, but I think the main point is that we won, and we pushed through.”

The Raiders began to catch up quickly in the beginning of the second quarter, beginning with a three-pointer and two-pointer. The Warriors quickly retaliated with a two-pointer from Christie French ‘19, and it was then that the Raiders’ intensity cranked up even more. Players on both teams were being knocked down time and time again, including Davalos ‘19, who suffered two nasty falls. The Raiders scored a couple of two-pointers, slowly inching closer to tying up the game. No more points were scored from the rest of the quarter, and it ended 23-19 with the Warriors ahead.

The Warriors began racking up lots of points at the beginning of the third quarter. This included a two-pointer from Boodoo and Davalos ‘19, and two successful free throws from Coy and Beckham. The Raiders kept up their aggressive tactics, knocking Boodoo down twice as well as Davalos ‘22 and Coy. Beckham managed to score two free throws among the Raiders’ fouls, and Coy made two consecutive two-pointers and a free throw. Davalos ‘19 made two free throws, and the quarter concluded with a score of 38-30 with the Warriors in the lead.

“It’s a physical game,” Coach Doug Davalos said. “These are two good teams that’ve been in district together and compete against each other all the time. It’s going to be pretty physical. We’re both trying to win. We’ve both got tough kids.”

The final quarter began with a foul, which allowed Davalos ‘19 to score a free throw. Boodoo scored a two-pointer, and Beckham continued getting rebounds. Chintala scored a three-pointer and a two-pointer, and after another foul, Coy made two free throws. Yet another display of strong teamwork happened when Boodoo retrieved a rebound, passed to Annalise Galliguez ‘20, who passed to Chintala for a two-pointer. The game ended with a score of 58-42, earning another victory for the Warriors.

“The girls played great, and they won a big game that they needed to win,” Mr. Acosta said. “Good game, good crowd, and good night.”

The Warriors will face off against the Hendrickson Hawks on Tuesday, Jan. 15.