Westwood’s Antonio Wright goes airborne during weekend action against Oakbrook Prep. (Photo/Ross Burton)
Lady ‘Hawks Bring Home Crown
ROCK HILL – The previously undefeated Westwood High School boys’ basketball team took their first lumps of the season this week, finishing fourth in the Moody Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill. The Redhawks, in the semi-finals, suffered their first loss of the season to Charlotte United Christian Academy, 65-54, sending them to Monday’s consolation game where they fell to Cardinal Newman 52-47.
Still, with the program on the upswing, head coach Terry Dozier credits off-season training and maturity for the team’s success so far this season.
“We are diligent on defense, we are playing together on offense,” Dozier said. “The off-season weight training program has been paying dividends. The one biggest thing that has improved our play is maturity. Of course we benefit from experience gained during last season, but it was the off-season training that we really attribute our improvement to. We are stronger and more confident in our skill set. If the officials let us play our defense, we will be strong.”
The tournament began well for Westwood on the day after Christmas. The Redhawks totally demolished the Lions of Hickory Grove Christian Academy, 66-25. The Lions failed to score at all against the tough Westwood defense in the first period. They never scored more than nine points in any of the four periods. On the other hand, the Redhawks hit 17 three-point field goals.
The next night it was Oakbrook prep’s turn to feel Redhawk power. The game’s final score was 83-65, but it seemed that Westwood was satisfied to keep a 20-point lead, and clearly had a higher gear they could go to, if needed. Dozier agreed but said, “We are saving that extra gear for tomorrow.”
The Charlotte United Christian Academy Warriors handed Westwood its first loss of the season in the semi-final game. Westwood went opened an early lead, but were hammered in the second and third periods. They rebounded in the final period but were not able to close the gap, falling 65-54.
The Lady Redhawks outshined the boys by winning their division in the Third Annual Carolina Classic Basketball Tournament in Charleston, beating the Chiefs of North Myrtle Beach High School 46-40. Along the way, the Westwood girls defeated Augusta Christian 32-30 and Christiansburg High (Va.) 51-24.
