Dunn, Watson Lead Wildcats Over Westfield
CHANTILLY, VA - Thursday night's girls' basketball contest between the top ranked Centreville Wildcats and the home team Westfield Bulldogs was anticipated to be an exciting contest, and this game did not disappoint. Despite an impressive 3rd quarter rush from the Bulldogs, the Lady Wildcats were able to fend off the pesky home team in the end to claim their 11th win of the season.
The storyline for the 1st quarter was tight defense. Centreville opened with a 5-0 run, however the Bulldogs only allowed one more point the rest of the quarter, and would put up six of their own, leaving the score a mere 6-6 at the end of the first eight minutes.
Both offenses stepped it up in the 2nd frame. The first 4 minutes featured a 7-2 run by the Wildcats. But a tightening of the defense, and the Lady Bulldogs trading offensive punches with their visitors, and Westfield was able to keep the score respectable at the half, trailing 22-18.
It was obvious at the start of the 2nd half that head coach Pat Deegan's halftime speech and adjustments had an effect on his team, as the Bulldogs came out of the locker room fired up, and the 3rd quarter was all Westfield. The Bulldogs dropped 14 points on the Wildcats, including the final 8 points of the quarter, and a stifling defense only allowed 7 Centreville points, and the home team took the lead 32-29 with just eight minutes to go.
The Wildcats, however, came out firing on all cylinders in the 4th quarter, going on a 10-2 run for the first four minutes, and outscoring the Bulldogs 18-9 throughout the stanza, leaving them with the 48-41 victory, and still atop of the Concorde District.
"This was a tough win, and I'm very pleased with the girls. They played good, fundamental basketball," said head Centreville coach Wally Horton after the game.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 11-1 and 4-0 in Concorde District play. The Bulldogs fell to 9-3 overall and 1-2 in the District.
Chick-fil-A Player of the Game:
Chelsea Dunn - Centreville Sr. Point Guard
Dunn showed off her playmaking ability Thursday night, converting on many tough shots. She had 12 points on the night, falling only one point short of teammate Alysha Watson and Westfield's Amanda O'Neill (each had 13 points to lead all scorers).
