In basketball, tough losses at home can still provide hard-earned lessons. 

During their home game against the Chandler Bears, the Westwood junior varsity girls’ basketball team had a tough matchup on November 10. Coming into the game, the Westwood Warriors were still searching for their first win of the season while the Bears boasted a 4-1 record that included a three-game undefeated streak on the road. 

Earning the start and playing most of the game was Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community student-athlete Taylor Moore. She impacted the game immediately by playing as the team’s floor general, setting up plays and dishing the rock to her open teammates. In the first quarter, Moore swished a contested 3-pointer which sent the crowd into a frenzy. On the very next play, she planted both feet firmly and took a hard charge resulting in the Bears committing an offensive foul. 

Battling against much taller guards, Moore had her work cut out for her as many of the Chandler players ended up triple-teaming her after the first quarter. 

Joining Moore on the court was another SRPMIC student-athlete, Mariah Harrelson. Known for her tenacious defensive skills, Harrelson came off the bench in the second quarter and instantly launched herself in the paint against the much taller forwards. 

Despite the Warriors’ best efforts, the Bears had an answer no matter what gameplan was put into action. At halftime, the score was 10-26. 

In the second half, the Bears turned it up and resumed playing aggressive defense, putting a stop to Moore and Harrelson’s comeback efforts. Harrelson battled in the paint for rebounds while Moore tried to shoot Westwood back into the game. 

By the end of the third quarter, the Bears led 10-41. In the fourth quarter, the Bears’ jump shots swished through the net with ease. With the writing on the wall for the Warriors, Moore and Harrelson were substituted out to give Westwood’s bench more playing time. 

The Bears went on to beat the Warriors, 17-50. The tough loss at home proved that while you can’t teach height, staying committed and united as a team remains the true goal of a successful season. 

Now on winter school break, the Westwood JV girls’ basketball team will resume the second half of their season on the road on January 10 at 5:30 p.m. against local rival, the Mesa Jackrabbits.