Published: January 23, 2008 04:13 pm      

Panthers get big win over 'Cats

By SCOTT TYLER

H-P Sports Editor



For Westwood head coach David Reed, Tuesday night’s 70-51 win over Palestine was not big because it came against the cross-town team or because it gave the Panthers their second straight district win.

After the lopsided win at Wildcat Gymnasium, Reed said Tuesday’s win was big because of where it was won.

“We got a big road win tonight,” Reed said. “Earlier this season we threw away a home game against Mexia so we had to steal one on the road.”

The “steal” helps Westwood improve to 2-2 in district with one game left in the first half of district — at home Friday night against Madisonville, who is 4-0.

“Tonight’s win was very important for us,” said Westwood senior Gralyn Crawford, who had a game-high 23 points in the win. “It was good to get a win against our rivals but also we have momentum going into the game against Madisonville.”

For Palestine, the Wildcats fall to 1-3 in district and will have another home test Friday night against Groesbeck.

Westwood, who usually makes a living from behind the three-point arc, made only one three pointer Friday night. Instead, the Panthers went to the basket, getting high percentage shots.

“The key tonight was that we were laying off the threes,” Reed said. “That is how we lost to Mexia.

“Tonight we did a better job recognizing the chances to get the ball inside.”

Westwood also dominated the Wildcats on the boards. The Panthers outrebounded Palestine 39-29 including the Panthers getting 29 defensive rebounds, which kept Palestine from multiple scoring opportunities.

Crawford led Westwood with 11 rebounds.

The Westwood defense also held Palestine’s Larry Jackson in check. After scoring 37 points four days before in a win against Fairfield, Jackson only scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds against Westwood.

“We were sagging and helping but most of it was Seth Gilkey,” Reed said. “Seth played one of his best defensive games of the year.”

Gilkey also added 19 points and Zach Gardner had 23 points.

Westwood led 32-30 at halftime but Palestine took a 37-36 lead on C.A. Mims layup. After a Gilkey putback to give Westwood a 39-37 lead, Jackson hit a shot from the post to tie the game at 39-39.

From that point, Westwood ended the quarter on a 12-1 run as Tevin Watson hit a 10-footer and Crawford had a transition layup.

Westwood ended the quarter with a jumper by Gilkey and a putback by Gardner as the Panthers led 51-40. Westwood kept the double-digit lead throughout the fourth quarter.

Palestine’s Jeremy White had 12 points and Mims added 11 points.

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