Recovering from a quadruple overtime setback to the undefeated, 11-0, Chatham Cougars did not stop the Westfield High School girls basketball Blue Devils when they hosted a struggling Scotch Plains-Fanwood squad in Westfield on January 16. The Blue Devils went right to work immediately and nearly put the game out of reach by the end of the first quarter, gave their reserve players more court time and proceeded onward to grab a 58-32 victory.

The 2-9 Raiders under first-year Head Coach Susan Murray had only two returning starters with Marin Pecarsky and Maggie McNulty and one with adequate court time in Grace Cawley. Pecarsky led the team with 14 points, including two-3-pointers, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. McNulty sank a 3-pointer and added two assists and a steal. Cawley finished with seven points (3-for-4 free throws), four rebounds, three steals and an assist. The remainder were very new to the varsity, so coach Murray has been working hard to figure out the proper fit.

In the meantime, the 10-2 Blue Devils have been stepping up their game as the season progressed. Junior guard Sophie Lane has been finding the basket well and finished the game with 16 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and also pulled five rebounds and added two steals and a block.

“You’re right about Sophie. It was nice to see her bounce back after a tough game verse Chatham. She’s really starting to find her rhythm offensively and has been more aggressive in looking for her shot. It’s been great to see her confidence grow,” Blue Devil Head Coach Liz McKeon said.

Junior guard Megan Logan proved to be tough offensively and defensively with 10 points (2-for-2 free throws), two assists, four blocked shots and three rebounds. Sophomore guard Molly McDermott led the team with six assists and finished with 11 points, three steals and a rebound. Senior Catie Carayannopoulos focused primarily on defense and finished with four rebounds, an assist and a steal “Molly is also adjusting well to the team dynamic, and her versatility has been a huge asset on both ends of the floor,” Coach McKeon expressed. “She gives us a lift coming off the bench and continues to get better and more confident each game. I’m excited about what she’s bringing to the table.”

The Blue Devils had the Raiders reeling from the start and won the first quarter, 19-5. Lane put in nine of her points, including a 3-pointer. Logan had six points, including a pair of free throws, junior guard Mairin Fowler (5 points, 3 assists, steal, rebound) hit for two points as did sophomore Catherine Oliveira, who finished with seven points (1-for-1 free throws), five rebounds, an assist and a steal. Pecarsky had four of the Raiders’ points and Cawley sank a free throw.

McDermott scored six of her points in the second quarter won by Westfield, 13-9, to extend the lead to 32-14 at the half. Logan added a pair

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of lay-ups and Fowler sank a free throw and a lay-up. McNulty nailed her 3-pointer. Freshman Kendall Kelly (4 rebounds) scored four points and freshman Mara Haight (assist, block) had two points.

To assure the victory would be in hand, Lane stayed on the court in the third quarter won by Westfield, 16-9, and scored seven points, including her second 3-pointer. Catherine Oliveira bucketed five points. Junior Darby Hubner (4 points, rebound) and McDermott each had two points. Pecarsky had a lay-up and sank her first 3-pointer. Cawley and Amelia Fallon (2 rebounds, block) each had two points.

Most of the Blue Devil starters took a seat to become spectators in the fourth quarter. Blue Devil freshman guard Kate Cymbor (assist) scored all five of her points. Hubner sank a 2-pointer and McDermott hit a 3-pointer. Pecarsky added five points and Cawley sank a pair of free throws and a lay-up.

As for the experience against the Chatham Cougars, Coach McKeon said, “The quadruple overtime game against Chatham was a real testament to our girls’ grit and resilience. While the outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, the way the team kept fighting, especially in those critical moments, was incredibly encouraging. There were definitely several instances where either team could have pulled away, but I’m proud of how we stayed competitive and didn’t back down. That game was a huge learning experience for everyone. It showed the girls what they’re capable of when they dig deep and push through adversity. The intensity and determination they displayed, especially in such a high-pressure situation, will only make us stronger moving forward.”

Coach McKeon added, “We’re taking away a lot of positives from it, and I think it’s given the team even more belief in themselves. They now know they can compete at that level, and that’s a big step for us.”

Sc Pl-Fanwood 5 9 9 9 32 Westfield 19 13 16 10 58