The girls’ basketball team defeated Churchill 50-46, on Tuesday, Feb. 19. The game was WJ’s senior night, earning the team a much appreciated win after losing to Churchill earlier this season.
“It means a lot to win as a team on senior night, it feels really good,” senior forward Lexie Burns said. “Being on the team for the past four years, this team means everything to me, I love this team and all the girls on it.”
Despite senior forward Naamiah Courke hitting the first basket for WJ off of a jump-shot from the free-throw line, the first quarter was mostly dominated by Churchill. The bulldogs played aggressively on defense, often double-teaming the WJ ball-handler and forcing bad passes and shots. The Cats had a shortage of offensive looks, and the Bulldogs rolled out to a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Cats found their footing soon after, as junior guard Norah Youseff hit a three-pointer a minute into the second quarter. While the second quarter saw fairly even play, the Cats ended up having the last laugh before the end of the half.
Sophomore guard Mira Mann hit a three pointer with 19 seconds left, tying the game at 18 apiece. The Cats were able to force a turnover on Churchill’s next possession, leaving the Cats with one more chance to put points on the board. With what could’ve been a little bit of senior-night magic, senior forward Kendall Alexander put up a near-desperation 3-point shot from the top of the arc that went straight through the net as the buzzer sounded.
“That shot was a big step in our momentum, for us to end the half like that,” Alexander said. “It showed how defense really leads to our offense, and I think that shot definitely set the tone for the second half and why we really dominated them in the second half.”
The Cats kept up their halftime momentum into the second half, where they scored six unanswered points before the Bulldogs barked back with a bucket of their own. The third quarter was very chaotic, with both teams getting hot at different points. WJ was able to maintain a six point lead heading into the final eight minutes of the game, with the score 36-30 in favor of the Cats.
While both teams got baskets of their own to start off the fourth quarter, Churchill got two threes on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead to four. Alexander then answered by driving inside and making a great fake and pass to Courke for the foul-and-1 (missed free throw).
Churchill imposed a tough press, desperate to create an opportunity to pounce and intercept a pass and force a turnover. But the Wildcats did a good job minimizing the turnovers and keeping possession of the ball, while trying to kill time. This led to WJ winning the game and sending Churchill home winless.
junior guard Elizabeth Martin said.
Two weeks prior, the Cats had another big win on the road against another rival in B-CC. Since wins against the Barons are hard to come by, the game was monumental for the team.
“That was probably one of the most exciting moments of the season,” Courke said. “For me and my fellow seniors, it’s huge for us because all four years we’ve been here, that’s the first win we’ve had against B-CC. It’s also pretty special that it was at B-CC, it just feels better that way.”
The Cats will bring their 15-4 record into their final regular season game against Seneca Valley on Friday, Feb. 21. The game may decide home-field advantage for the playoffs, as WJ is currently tied with Churchill for second in the region, with both teams having one game left to play.
