Published: January 07, 2009 12:23 pm         

Westwood uses defense to defeat Kemp

By SCOTT TYLER

H-P Sports Editor



Heading into the start of district play next week, Westwood head coach Scott Nettles wants his team to be in as many different situations as possible during non-district action.

Tuesday night, the Panthers got experience of how to hold onto a late lead when they could not do much on offense.

Westwood only made 15 shots Tuesday night but it was enough as the Panthers held off Kemp 36-33.

“We have not had many close games this year so this was good for us,” Nettles said. “We played with great effort on defense.”

Nettles said there has been some struggles on offense due to the fact the Panthers have not been able to carry a full lineup because of injuries.

“Offensively we are still trying to find our roles,” Nettles said. “We have had to shuffle the lineups because of injuries and I have not been able to put a consistent starting five out there this season.”

Westwood (7-9) held the lead for most of the game, but Kemp made it interesting at the end.

The Panthers had a 33-26 lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter when Domanick Turner had a driving layup and George White had a turn around jumper in the lane.

But Westwood would go scoreless for the next five minutes as the Yellowjackets scored four straight points to cut the lead to three points.

Both teams then went scoreless for the next three minutes until Westwood’s Rodney Watson had an offensive rebound and was fouled and he hit one of two free throws to increase the lead to 34-30.

With under a minute to play, Kemp made a three pointer to cut the lead to one point, but Westwood responded when D.J. Morrow found Watson in the lane for a layup to make it a three point game.

Kemp had multiple chances to tie the game, missing a shot with 29 seconds left and then the Yellowjackets got the ball back with 17 seconds, but missed a three pointer and the ball was being tipped around when the final buzzer sounded.

Watson led Westwood with 13 points and White had nine points. Ryan Mackie had six points and Turner and Sam Dunnam each had four points.

Westwood hosts Ferris Friday and travels to Spring Hill Tuesday, the Panthers final two non-district games before opening at home against Crockett Friday.

“We just got to keep improving on the offensive end,” Nettles said. “The big thing is to get more consistent.”

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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com

     

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