Westwood’s Karen Medina looks to pass the ball against a Community defender… Photos by Dennis Weaver
A cold shooting touch in the second and third quarters, combined with stifling defensive pressure from both Community teams; spelled doom for the Rockets and Lady Rockets at Joel Vinson Gym on Monday night. The Lady Rockets got out to a strong start as Ashley Starks, Karen Medina and Morgan Jones each notched buckets in the 1st four minutes of the game before Community called a timeout with 2 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter with the game tied at 6. From there, the Viqueens defense held Westwood to 6 points for the next 14 minutes of the game to take a 19 to 12 lead into the 4th quarter. A basket by Danielle Baker with 3 minutes remaining cut the deficit to 23 to 20, but Community quelled the rally as they hit their free throws down the stretch to win by a final of 32 to 20. Jones finished the night with 10 points as Karen Medina added 4 points for Westwood.
Westwood guard Shawn Anderson on defense for the Rockets against Community.
In boy’s action, the Rockets roared out to a 10 to 4 lead after the first quarter before foul trouble and a resurgent Community defense took over the game. The Vikings held the Rockets to 9 points over the next 15 minutes as they outscored Westwood 20 to 9 in those pivotal periods to take a 24 to 19 lead into the 4th quarter. The Rockets rallied in the 4th quarter to cut the deficit to 2 with 96 seconds remaining on a basket from Shawn Anderson but could not get the equalizer down the stretch falling 32 to 26. Chase Simpkins led Westwood in scoring with 7 points while Marcus Pendleton added 6. Jake Hollandsworth added 5 points and Anderson tallied 4.
The Rockets and Lady Rockets will travel to Fayetteville on Thursday night. The girls game will tip at 6 PM at the Fayetteville Middle School.
