Antonio Wright takes flight in the early goings of Tuesday’s region battle. (Photo/Ross Burton)
LEXINGTON – Westwood, in its second year of existence, prevailed over the River Bluff Gators 64-45 in a varsity boys’ basketball matchup. River Bluff is a new school in its first year.
Filling in for head coach Terry Dozier who had to sit out this game, was coach Jamie Watson.
“The key is rebounding, some pace, and we need to share the basketball,” Watson said before the game. “Our problems have been more mental than physical. We need to get to a point where we share the ball more and not be selfish. Sometimes we have one or two guys trying to do it all by themselves. We should be fine, as long as we rebound and share the basketball.”
The first period of this region match-up was close all the way. River Bluff went out to an early lead and held it, largely on the strong ball-handling skills of Raymond Clarke. Halfway through the first quarter, the Gators led by 11-5.
With one minute to go in the first period, Westwood jumped out into the lead for the first time in the game, but the period ended tied 17-17.
The second period was all Westwood. The Redhawks held the Gators to only six points, one basket and four free-throws. On the other hand, Westwood’s Jordan Watson hit two three-pointers and Napoleon Goodson scored three field goals. By the end of the second period, the score was 41-23, Redhawks.
Clarke had his turn outside the three-point line, scoring twice to lead his team in a valiant attempt to close the gap. The Gators outscored the Redhawks in the third, but it was too little too late. Scoring in the final period was reasonably even until the last few minutes of the game. Down by 15 points, the Gators began sending the Redhawk players to the foul line in hopes of regaining enough possessions to close the gap. However, with the Redhawk players shooting seven for 10 at the line, the gap only widened. The score was 64-45 as the final buzzer sounded.
Westwood hosts Chapin High School on Friday night for another region game.
