CHARLESTON – While most were prepping for New Year celebrations and overloading themselves with a full slate of college football, the Westwood Lady Redhawks were competing with 64 other teams from across the nation in the Carolina Invitational. Westwood opened up tournament play against with a close loss but rebounded for two consecutive wins to finish out the invitational.
Westwood first faced the Wyoming East Warriors from New Richmond, West Virgina. Unique Drake rang up 28 points to go along with six rebounds in the tourney opener, but Wyoming East squeaked by with a 56-55 win. Gabby Lupardus had 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Warriors.
Aside from Drake, no other Redhawk broke into double digits, but things turned around for Westwood in round two. The first round loss set them up with a second day matchup against the Rosewell Hornets out of Rosewell, Georgia.
Once again, Drake led the way for the Redhawks with another 20-point game. Drake’s 21 points, five rebounds and three assists were good enough for Westwood to cruise to a 79-33 win. Mya Belton also had a strong showing against the Hornets with 20 points and seven rebounds.
Nyah Leveretter stung the Hornets for a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Maliyah Lockett finished with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. After breezing through day two, Westwood closed out tournament season with an impressive victory over the Madison Warhawks, from Vienna, Virginia.
Unique Drake made it back-to-back-to-back 20 points game in Westwood’s 60-44 beatdown of the Warhawks. Drake totaled 23 in the tournament closer and went a perfect 10-10 from the floor.
Nyah Leveretter picked up her second double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Mya Belton finished with 11 points and Malilyah Lockett scored nine in the tourney finale.
The Lady Redhawks play at home again on Tuesday, Jan. 9 against conference opponent York at 6pm.