Westbrook didn’t get a win out of their trip to Deering Saturday, but Blue Blazes girls basketball coach Mike Murphy liked what he saw from his young team, despite a 45-36 loss.
Make no mistake: This squad, with only one senior and four freshmen, are in the midst of growing pains. But, regardless of high school experience, or the lack there of, these girls have already shown they know how to win. Westbrook took their season-opener, 49-46, over Cheverus at home.
And against Deering, clutch shooting and solid play under the basket kept their chances alive until late in the game.
“I saw some great things with our guard play and with our post play,” said Murphy. “If we get a little bit stronger – and that will come with age – we could be dangerous.”
Westbrook’s girls took their 1-1 record into another home game against Portland Tuesday and play next on Thursday at South Portland. The Westbrook coach was hoping he could build on Saturday’s effort.
After a 10-10 first quarter, the Rams pulled out to a 19-12 lead. But Westbrook didn’t give up and when Lauren Sawyer was fouled on her field goal and hit the free toss, the Blue Blazes were back within four points, 21-17, just before the half.
Then it was Jalissa Bryant’s turn. The Westbrook freshman scored on back-to-back baskets early in the third quarter, the second one a three-point field goal, and Westbrook was within a point, 23-22.
But the experienced Deering players kept responding to the Blazes’ attack and pulled out to a 31-22 lead at the end of the period.
Cynthia Wescott rallied her team with a pair of field goals to start the fourth quarter, and her basket and free throw a few minutes later pulled her team back within five.
But down the stretch, Deering’s Rams hit five of seven foul shots to help secure the win.
Westbrook looked strong under the basket with Wescott and Audrey Shutts, who pulled down several key rebounds in the game. Shutts had 17 boards in the team’s first game.
And the guard play of Bryant and Erin Murphy helped give their team chance after chance on the offensive side.
Wescott ended the night as her team’s high scorer with 13 points. Murphy had seven, while Bryant added six and Lauren Sawyer scored five.
Nicole Garland led Deering with 14 points, scoring most of those in the first half.
“I’m pleased with their poise and progress,” said Murphy of his players. “We’re more athletic than we have been. They work hard for me and they are coming. Two games in, and through the preseason, they have taken big steps forward.”
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