The Westside girls basketball finished their regular season games a couple weeks ago with a winning record of 22-5. The last time the girls lost was in the middle of January, and haven’t dropped a game since. The first game in the A-5 district was Westside vs Central on Feb. 25. The Westside girls came up on top with a 65-29 win. The beginning of the district final game didn’t go the way the girls and Coach Clark wanted. In the first 2 quarters the girls were down by a little but they found some momentum and energy in the second half to be able to take a win.
The girls won their district championship on Feb.27. vs Lincoln high with a huge lead of 46-29. Jayah Freeman shot 6, 3 point shots vs Lincoln high and now holds the record for most 3 pointers in a season in Westside history now sitting at 81.
“We didn’t get a great start vs Lincoln High in the district final, and we found some momentum in the 2nd quarter when we made some shots,” Coach Clark said. “Jayah made 6 threes in the first half which gave her 81 on the season and a new school record.
The girls did prepare for the district games, as their main goal was to win their district and go as far as possible at state. Coach Clark talks about the focus for districts and the mindset for every game in the regular and post season.
“In preparation for districts and state we focused on the mindset of loving the process, loving the team, and not wanting it to be over,” Clark said. “Compel each other to give everything they have, in practice and the games.”
Winning districts isn’t anything new to the girls basketball team. They have been to the state tournament many times before, including last year when they made it to the championship but ultimately ended up losing.
Coach Clark talks about how it’s never easy to win your district. It always feels good to win your district, and move on to state. Even though the girls have won many districts before, Coach Clark says that every win should be celebrated, especially when it is in districts.
“It’s never easy to make it to state, and the team really needs to enjoy it when they accomplish it,” Clark said. “Winning districts is a big deal, and comes with extreme gratitude and excitement,” Clark said.
