(Denison) Westwood’s girls’ basketball team is heading to the state tournament with a perfect 21-0 record. Their latest victory came in a Class 2A Regional Final against Exira/EHK, which they won 55-35 at Denison.
The Rebels never trailed in the game, although they did face a brief tie at 2-2. Addy Johnson led the Rebels with 19 points, while Ashlyn Davis scored 15. The Spartans’ efforts were led by Jaelyn Petersen, who scored 21 points, with Taryn Petersen contributing 13 points and Hannah Nelson adding 2. Both teams played great defense, but it was Westwood who made the key shots in the end, while the Spartans could not convert their chances.
At the beginning of the game, the Rebels had an early lead of 11-4, thanks to the efforts of Ella Hanner, who played the point guard position and scored three-pointers, and Addy Johnson, who played as a 6’0 forward and added five more points. Ashlyn Davis, a 6’1 post player, also scored four points. However, towards the end of the first quarter, the Spartans were able to reduce the deficit to 15-11 with a 4-0 mini run. Taryn Petersen scored six points, while Jaelyn Petersen made a long-range shot and a short-range throw to keep the game close.
Both teams struggled to score in the second quarter, but Addy Johnson broke the deadlock with three field goals. Ashlyn Davis added a free throw, and Cassie Skinner came off the bench to score a three-point basket late in the quarter, bringing the Rebels’ lead to 25-14 at halftime. The Spartans only managed to score three points in the second quarter.
During the third quarter of the game, the Spartans implemented a full-court press that led to numerous turnovers. However, Exira/EHK still struggled to score baskets, and the Rebels continued to hold their lead, ending the quarter with a score of 35-22. Jaelyn Petersen was the primary scorer for the Spartans, contributing six out of their eight points. Meanwhile, Cate Drees hit a crucial three-point shot to help the Rebels maintain their double-digit lead, ending the third quarter with a score of 35-22.
Exira/EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen was proud of how his team came out in the second half.
Westwood broke the game open in the final stanza. Drees buried another three-point shot, Davis maintained an inside presence with eight points, and Addy Johnson made three free throws and a field goal, pushing the score to 55-35 at the final gun. The Spartans battled despite the deficit. Jaelyn Petersen piled in seven fourth-quarter points, and Taryn Petersen splashed three and a two-point bucket down the stretch.
Coach Petersen admits it was hard to say goodbye to his senior, Hannah Nelson.
The Spartans had a young team, with two freshmen, two sophomores, and just one senior in the starting lineup. Despite their youth, they have a promising future ahead of them. According to Exira/EHk Head Coach Tom Petersen, the success they will achieve in the future will depend on the players themselves.
The Spartans bow out with a 16-7 record. Westwood advances to Wells Fargo Arena next week as the #3 seed in the Class 2A Field. They square off against the #6 seed and 20-3 Central Lyon in a quarterfinal at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28.
