Westwood sweeps past Deerfield-Windsor

CAMILLA — The Westwood girls came out Friday night and played a stifling defense in front of a packed house. The defensive effort propelled the Lady Wildcats to a 52-17 home victory over Deerfield-Windsor in a key GISA Region 3-AAA contest.

The win makes Westwood a perfect 14-0 on the season.

After opening the game with a quick basket, Deerfield-Windsor could not get anything to fall.

A suffocating Westwood defense forced numerous turnovers and held the Lady Knights to mostly perimeter shots. DWS went more than 11 minutes without putting a point on the board.

“We just played our regular man-to-man,” Westwood coach Jenni Smith said. “It is our signature defense. We work on it all the time and we tweak it here and there. We just try to make sure everyone can guard the man they are assigned.”

While Deerfield struggled to get their offense going, Westwood embarked on an 22-2 run.

“I thought the girls played with really good energy and intensity,” Smith said. “We were expecting Deerfield to show up and play a tough ball game, which they did. I was just really proud of the effort we gave tonight especially after a long road trip last night.”

Deerfield’s drought was finally broken when Destiny Reed made a free throw with 3:13 remaining in the first half.

Westwood took a 22-8 lead into halftime.

Gracie Pollock was a big key to the the Lady Wildcats run, scoring 10 of her 16 points in the first half. Pollock finished as the game’s leading scorer.

“Gracie did a great job running the floor,” Smith said. “When you are being pressed, one of the options against that is to get down the floor and she did an awesome job tonight.”

After the half, Westwood continued to dominate on defense. The Lady Wildcats held Deerfield to just two points in the third quarter.

Karlie Jones had eight points in the quarter and helped Westwood outscore Deerfield 19-2.

Jones finished the game with 11 points.

Deerfield-Windsor received five points each from Emilee Foy and Destiny Reed.

Westwood boys 76, Deerfield-Windsor 67

The Westwood boys came out with a chip on their shoulder Friday night. After getting embarrassed by Deerfield-Windsor at home last season, the Wildcats got some revenge by beating the Knights.

The Knights had a small lead for most of the first half but could never extend it to double digits. They were up 31-24 at halftime.

Westwood battled back in the third quarter cutting the lead down to three two separate times before finally tying it at 41 then again at 44.

Deerfield led 49-46 at the end of the third.

“Last year, Deerfield came in and put 100 on them,” Westwood coach Derrick Harris said. “It really embarrassed the guys. When I came in, one of our goals is to win 20 plus games. They asked me if they could put in a goal and I said ‘Yeah.” They said ‘Beat Deerfield.’”

They extended their lead to 53-46 before Collier Baggett scored seven unanswered points to tie it at 53. Baggett finished as the game’s leading scorer with 30 points. Dissarius Robinson had 19 for Westwood.

Deerfield was led by Chandler Matthews, who scored 22 points. Trey Young finished with 16 while Emmanuel Baez scored 11.

The teams traded points until the score was tied at 60. Westwood then outscored Deerfield 15-7 to end the game and seal the victory.

It was the second victory in as many nights for the Wildcats, who defeated Tiftarea Thursday night 56-53. Baggett scored 25 to lead the team while Matthew Tucker added 11 points. Robinson added 12 assists.