On Friday, January 31, the West Brunswick Varsity girls basketball team faced off against the Topsail Pirates in a tough home game that ended in a 56-43 loss. Despite a strong start and hard work throughout the game, the Trojans couldn’t overcome their mistakes, and the loss marked their sixth straight defeat.
As the clock hit 6:00 pm, both teams took the floor, ready to play. The opening jump ball saw the teams going back and forth, but by the end of the first half, the Pirates had built up a solid lead. The Trojans went into halftime behind, knowing they needed to make some adjustments in the second half if they were going to have a chance at a comeback.
In the third quarter, the Trojans came out with a lot of heart, trying to close the gap and turn things around. However, as the game went on, the Trojans struggled with passing and communication, leading to costly turnovers and missed opportunities. Despite a few impressive individual plays and some hustle from players like Brooklyn Coble, the team couldn’t seem to get their rhythm back and never got closer than 10 points down.
Topsail, on the other hand, played solid basketball on both ends of the floor. Their offense was well-balanced, with good ball movement and smart shot selection, while they also took full advantage of West Brunswick’s mistakes. Defensively, the Pirates were disciplined, pressuring the Trojans and forcing them into difficult shots and turnovers. The Pirates kept their lead throughout the second half, and their defense was strong enough to prevent the Trojans from getting back in the game.
Now sitting with a record of 8-11, the Trojans will need to refocus and work on key areas before their next game. Improving communication on both offense and defense is important, especially calling out screens and moving quickly on defense. The Trojans also need to clean up their passing to avoid turnovers and help the offense run more smoothly. Though the loss was tough, with a few adjustments, the team can bounce back and finish the season strong. For Topsail, this win was part of their ongoing success, and they’ll look to keep the momentum going as they head into their next game against Ashley High School on February 4th.