Westlake started off a little slow (perhaps travel legs?) for it's second straight game. West Monroe is an athletic, scrappy bunch, but they really don't have a post presence. They are a collection of guards and slashers who are getting in Westlake's shirts on D. Early foul trouble by Gus Leeper has necessitated Kemper, Meyertons and 2012 Drew Wikelius to step up and give some quality interior defensive minutes. This is a depth check for Westlake. Successive And 1 buckets by Cody Doolin to end the half gives Westlake a 30-25 lead at the break. At the half. Doolin has 11 and Kemper has 9.
In the 3rd this is becoming a spirited game. West Monroe has scrapped back from 7 down to tie it at 37..but wait Big Gus Leeper has blocked two shots in a row and Westlake is off and running to a 4 point lead to end the quarter. Leeper definitely has become an intimidator in the paint.
Leeper is back on the bench with foul trouble and 2011 G Hagen Fell has hurt his back/tailbone. This is another good test for Westlake. Let's see if the bench guys rise to the occasion. Westlake has gone up by 9 with 3:30 to play. Kemper has stepped up as well as 2010 G Keaton Lancashire. Coach Ellis turned to me and said, "Gosh, I have to coach a little" I like this test, I give Westlake a B-. They won one they should have, but did overcome a little bit of adversity. Good win down the stretch as Westlake went deep into it's bench to take care of business.
1st Quarter West Monroe 12 Austin Westlake 11
Half Austin Westlake 30 West Monroe 25
3rd Austin Westlake 41 West Monroe 37
Final Austin Westlake 54 West Monroe 47
