December Issue:           

Westwood @ Mitchell

       With the shift of power like Raleigh Egypt to Craigmont in the north section of town is in the process as well as Mitchell with the power in that section of town transferring from Mitchell to Westwood just around the corner. The game started off a little sluggish on both ends n early district 15 AAA matchup that Southwind has dominated the last couple of years and an very interesting game with two similar styles of play. Westwood's up and down the court type of style was just too much for the Tigers with Westwood coming out with a 81-75 win despite losing their number one point guard in Tevin Cox due to foul trouble early in the contest. The loss of Cox gave the Tigers a chance at winning with the Longhorns short on good ball handlers but the best shooters not only the city but the state. Don't no other team in the city of Memphis have better shooters and more than one shooter than Westwood. Memphis Central would love to have some of these shooters and that goes for a bunch of other local ball teams. At the end of the first quarter it was Westwood up 22-15 but the Tigers would make a run to take the lead on several occasions. Mitchell took their first lead of the ball game with 5:16 left in the second quarter at 25-24 and extended the lead as high as 8 points at 32-24 with 3:50  left in the first half. Mitchell goes on a drought with Westwood responding with a 8-0 run to tie the contest at 32 all and 2 minutes left. Westwood goes in the half up 37-34 after both ball clubs were battling in the second quarter hands down.  Mitchell committed more turnovers with a 13-10 margin over the Longhorns. Another department that help sway the difference in the game was Westwood hitting the boards better than usual with a 17-14 margin in that department. Steals were knotted up at 2 apiece respectively. Westwood held a 1 assist lead in the assist department accordingly.

     Second half, Mitchell watched Westwood extend their lead between 5 and 9 points while maintaining that lead the entire second half with both ball clubs exchanging buckets. Everytime Mitchell would make a serious run the Longhorns would answer and swat all attempts and the closest the Tigers could manage was within 3 points with 2:11 left in the ball game to only commit another costly turnover. Westwood senior Donnie Thomas led all scorers with his strong play and never giving up attitude at 24 points, and 12 rebounds. d down to 2 points with 3:45 left in the third quarter at 51-49. The play of another senior sharp shooter was David Pledge at 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in a overall solid performance. Mitchell's Nathan Cole led the Tigers in scoring at 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in a great overall showing overshadowed by the 11 turnovers he committed. Cole cuts his turnovers down he can help these Tigers tremendously. Cole is already a top prospect in Division 1 football with skills untouched.  

     Westwood juniors Montrez Gary finished 13 points and 3 rebounds to compliment another junior Desmond Washington finished 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals in two strong performances.

     Mitchell senior Robert Kince added 18 points and 4 assists at the guard position. Junior Aquarius Stevenson had an off night with his jump shot but still finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds respectively. 

Key Points of The Game: Westwood ability to maintain the lead despite losing their true point guard in Tevin Cox and the Longhorns ability to knock down all Mitchell attempts to regain the lead in the second half.

Team	Rebounds	Turnovers	Assists	Steals	Blocks
Westwood	30	20	12	6	2
Mitchell	28	23	10	5	1

By Staff Writer Harold Rivera