| |
 |
For the West Milford girls' basketball team, just making it to the final of its own high school tournament was an accomplishment. While the Highlanders (2-1) fell short 39-26 to Wayne Hills, they proved to be a team with a lot of heart that appears to be significantly improved from just a year ago.
|
As the host team, The Highlanders wanted nothing more than to win this sports tournament. They hoped to continue a hot offensive streak that lifted them to wins in their first two basketball games of the season. Unfortunately, nerves and anxiety made West Milford rush shots and the Highlanders found themselves down 13 points at halftime.
The Highlanders came out with more intensity in the second half. With good defensive traps, they were able to create turnovers, holding the Patriots to only eight points in the third quarter. Offensively they had some good looks at the basket but continued to be imprecise. In the last quarter, the Highlanders' shots started to fall, as they scored almost as many points in the fourth quarter as they did in the first three. Their superb defensive efforts continued as they again held the Patriots to only eight points in the fourth quarter. Senior forward Sarah Townsend said, “This team has worked very hard, we never give up. We just continue to push."
The Highlanders have been in rebuilding mode for the past couple of years. But now, after hard work and dedication, they find themselves as contenders in their division. Winning their first two basketball games with a combined offensive output of 114 points proves they can put the ball in the basket. If they can match that with the second half defensive performance from this game, this team may be headed for a solid sports season.
Coach Ray LaCroix said his team played well against a solid Wayne Hills squad and they should be proud of their efforts. While the team wanted to win this contest, "if you had told me back on Thanksgiving that we'd be 2-1, I'd have signed up for that," LaCroix said. -- Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
|
