Westwood’s Taylor Britt (34) battles it out with Blythewood’s Makayla Weeks. (Photo/DeAnna Robinson)
BLYTHEWOOD (Feb. 10, 2016) – Gregory Bauldrick liked what he saw in his Westwood girls’ basketball team Tuesday night.
The Redhawks head coach had most all of his girls make contributions on the floor in a 59-41 Region IV-4A victory over Blythewood.
“It was a complete team effort tonight,” he said. “Unselfish play, executing the half-court set.”
Unique Drake led the way for Westwood with 22 points. Maliyah Lockett had 12 points and Taylor Britt added 10.
With a third-place finish behind Spring Valley and Ridge View, Westwood’s postseason is secure. What Bauldrick wanted to see was his team playing together and contributing in a wire-to-wire effort.
“That was one of the goals coming in, getting ready for the playoffs,” Bauldrick said. “If we can’t score in transition, we’ve got to be able to execute in the half-court. They were committed to that and we saw some of the things that we were looking for.”
Drake, Lockett and Mya Belton accounted for all 17 of the Redhawks’ first quarter points as the Redhawks jumped to a 17-5 lead after that period. Westwood led 33-18 at the half and was up 49-28 by the end of the third quarter.
Lauren Harley led all scorers with 29 points, and teammate Keayra Jackson had 10. Daneshia Rikard was the only other scorer for the Bengals (5-15, 2-5).
Blythewood finishes the regular season with back-to-back games against Ridge View. The Bengals will play at Ridge View Thursday and play host to the Blazers Friday.
Westwood plays host to Spring Valley Friday. The Vikings beat the Redhawks 69-33 Jan. 25, but Bauldrick said this game should have a better outcome.
“It’s going to be tough, but it won’t be a 36-point loss for us,” Bauldrick said, noting his team is better for having played the region leader. “Now that they’ve had that experience of playing a championship caliber team, that anxiety is gone. We’ll be better prepared mentally, and we’ll get a chance to feel what it’s going to take to truly compete in the playoffs. It’s going to be a good litmus test for us.”
Westwood 59, Blythewood 41
BHS: 5-13-10-13 – 41
WHS: 17-16-16-10 – 59
B – Lauren Harley 29, Keayra Jackson 10, Ritter 2. W – Unique Drake 22, Maliyah Lockett 12, Taylor Britt 10, Belton 6, Tyler 3, Davis 3, Britt 3. REC: Westwood 18-4, 6-3, Blythewood 5-15, 2-5.
