Feb. 25 — The Westwood High girl’s basketball team brushed off two weeks of no play by defeating the Big Valley Cardinals 57-23 at home Friday, Feb. 24, for the Lady Jacks’ first appearance in the Northern Section Division VI playoffs.

Going in with a comfortable 31-10 lead at halftime, the Lady Jacks slowed down a little at the start of the second half and scored five points in nearly five and a half minutes of play.

Bree Massey nailed a three-point shot with 2:36 left in the third quarter which kick started the Lady Jacks’ offense who opened the fourth quarter with a 43-18 lead.

A very physical and somewhat emotional game, the Lady Jacks’ Morgan Tilford seemed to take most of the abuse with a bloodied nose in the first half and a finger to the eye in the second half.

Tilford racked up three fouls in the second half to add to the one acquired in the first half, which resulted in her on the sidelines away from the action for the majority of the last half.

The Lady Jacks handled the physical game as best as they could and came away with the win over the Cardinals.

Massey was the top-scorer for the Lady Jacks with 15 points, nailing three baskets beyond the arc. Massey also had three rebounds, five steals and three blocks.

Mikailia Bustamante had 13 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and one steal. Tilford ended the night with nine points, two rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Tori Kidder had seven points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals. Cheyenne Mix-Mckown had four blocks.

Phil Bryant, head coach for the Lady Jacks, said the goal at the beginning of the season was to take the top spot in the Pioneer-Mountain League and make a run in playoffs.

The Lady Jacks went undefeated in 10 league games and earned the top seed in the Division VI playoff bracket.

“We’re really happy with how things are,” said Bryant. “Hopefully we’ll have the energy and the composure to go all the way.”

The Lady Jacks move to the semi-final round of the Northern Section CIF Division VI playoffs and will host either Hayfork (No. 4) or Maxwell (No. 12) at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29.