WESTMORELAND – The Westmoreland High School girls basketball team forced 18 first-half turnovers en route to a 58-31 victory over visiting White House on Friday evening.
Westmoreland High junior point guard Gracie Oliver dribbles to the basket during second-quarter action as White House senior Alyssa Armstrong defends. Oliver scored nine points in the Lady Eagles’ 58-31 victory on Friday evening.
The Lady Eagles swept the season series between the two teams, having captured a 61-36 win at White House on Jan. 19.
On Friday, Westmoreland (23-3 overall, 9-2 in District 9-AA) forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter, scoring the first eight points and leading 18-6 after senior Jesica Eppstein converted a putback in the final seconds of the opening period.
Eppstein’s putback came during a 14-0 run that began with a 3-pointer by junior forward Peightyn Gross and ended with sophomore Darby Bowser’s transition layin with 2:38 remaining in the half. Bowser’s basket created a 30-6 margin.
Lady Devil senior guard Lauren Felts scored her team’s only points of the second stanza, which came on a layin at the 2:20 mark.
The margin was 36-8 at halftime and swelled to as much as 31 points when Gross made back-to-back 3-pointers late in the third quarter.
White House freshman guard Allyson Trimmer made a 35-footer at the third-quarter buzzer, but the Lady Devils didn’t get any closer than 27 points.
White House High junior forward Bailey Hutchison releases an interior shot in front of Westmoreland senior Haley Braswell during second-quarter action.
It was the 10th consecutive loss for White House (3-19, 0-12), which was led offensively by junior forward Stephanie Palmer’s eight-point effort.
Junior forward Kaitlyn Norman led the Lady Eagles offensively with 13 points, and both Gross and classmate Gracie Oliver scored nine points.
Westmoreland will attempt to secure second place in District 9-AA with a win at Cheatham County on Monday evening.
The Lady Devils conclude the regular season by hosting Portland on Monday evening.
The District 9-AA Tournament is slated to begin on Wednesday and will be played at White House Heritage High School.
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.
WHITE HOUSE (31) – Stephanie Palmer 8, McKenzie Vaughn 5, Hailee Ellis 4, Lauren Felts 4, Allyson Trimmer 4, Bryanna Allen 3, Lexa Grubbs 3.
WESTMORELAND (58) – Kaitlyn Norman 13, Peightyn Gross 9, Gracie Oliver 9, Haley Braswell 7, Karley Smith 7, Darby Bowser 6, Jesica Eppstein 4, Lexie McCormick 2, Sierra Bell 1.
Half: 36-8, Westmoreland. Three-point goals: White House 3 (Allen 1, Grubbs 1, Trimmer 1), Westmoreland 6 (Gross 3, Braswell 1, Norman 1, Oliver 1). Records: White House 3-19 overall, 0-12 in District 9-AA; Westmoreland 23-3, 9-2.
