Numerous rebounds and blocked shots kept the direction of the Union County Tournament first round game against ninth-seeded AL Johnson slightly in Westfield’s favor as the ninth-seeded Blue Devil girls basketball team managed to outpace the Crusaders, 43-38, in Westfield on February 7. The key turned out to be a 13-6, third-quarter surge by the Blue Devils that snapped an 18-18 halftime tie. On February 9 in Clark, the 9-14 Blue Devils bowed to the topseeded, 22-3 New Providence Pioneers, 36-22, in the quarterfinals.
The Blue Devils pulled 54 rebounds and recorded 10 blocks, while the 910 Crusaders grabbed only 25 rebounds and made two blocks. But the Crusader girls did out-steal the Blue Devils 15-8.
Blue Devil Megan Logan recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, and also blocked eight shots to go with two steals and an assist. Catherine Oliveira also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds to go with three assists and three steals. Sophie Lane (3 assists) grabbed 10 rebounds and netted eight points. Sara Rooney pulled eight boards and added three points, a block and an assist. Lucy Burke and Darby Hubner each finished with four points, four rebounds and a steal. Mairin Fowler had three points, four rebounds, an assist, block and a steal.
Freshman Clare Brighouse led the Crusaders with 14 points, including a 3pointer, four steals, three rebounds, an assist and a block. Kaileigh Nettland finished with eight points, three steals, four rebounds and an assist. Alisia Hamm had seven points, two assists and a rebound. Play setter Mackenzie Thompson had three rebounds. Jordana Tarentino had six points, five rebounds and a steal. Liz Fitzharris had three steals, three assists, five rebounds and two points.Avery Forfa had three steals and two points. Julia Lettini sank a free throw and added two rebounds, an assist, block and a steal.
The Blue Devils jumped up to an early 11-4 start after Oliveira sank a 2-pointer with 3:42 left in the quarter. Netland made the score 11-6 with 1:41 showing then Tarentino made the score 11-8 with 1:07 on the clock. Lane scored seven of her points and Oliveira scored four points in the quarter, while Netland and Tarentino each netted four of their points.
The Blue Devils upped their lead to 16-8 with 5:06 left in the second quarter but the Crusaders went on a thievery spree which helped them win the quarter, 10-7, and knot the score, 1818, at the half. The Blue Devils carried the momentum in the third quarter to seize a seven-point lead then permitted the Crusaders only to gain two points on them in the final quarter.
Against the Pioneers, Logan recorded five blocks, four points and four rebounds. Lane pulled six boards and added four points, an assist and a block. Burke sank four points (3pointer) and added three rebounds, a block and a steal. Hubner had four points and a steal. Fowler had three points, three rebounds and an assist. Rooney finished with three steals, three rebounds, two assists and one point. Catherine Oliveira had two points, a steal and a rebound.
Brenna Slattery netted 11 points and five rebounds for the Pioneers, while Annie Conover made seven steals and scored 11 points. Grace Kinum grabbed 10 rebounds and added five blocks and six points. Kyra Licari had four points and three rebounds. Jasmine Miller pulled nine boards and added two points. Ava Kelly scored two points.
