WARRIORS END FOUR GAME SKID AGAINST SALEM
by Ty Bartell
BELOIT OH- In the world of high school sports, very few rivalries run as deep between two programs that encapsulate their communities like The West Branch Warriors and The Salem Quakers do! You know the rivalry means business when it’s not just one, but all sports under the programs banner share the same rival. In the recent chapters of Salem versus West Branch on the girls basketball side, it has been The Quakers who have drafted recent history. Winning the last four consecutive games against The Warriors, Salem was looking to carry the streak into the new season. Meanwhile, West Branch was looking for their first win against Salem since February 10th, 2021. With a storied rivalry that writes itself and a great crowd on hand in Beloit to witness the next chapter of Quakers and Warriors!
The opening quarter looked very similar to the recent installments between the two squads, with defense being the focal point as a low-scoring opening quarter ensued. With points at a premium, The Warriors managed to grab a 4 point lead at 11-7 after a quarter. Scoring did not pick up in the second quarter either, as both defenses forced plenty of turnovers both in the transition game and the half court, making offense difficult to set-up. West Branch managed to hold a slim advantage 19-18 at halftime, as it looked like a wild finish was going to be in the books for Beloit!
However, the second half was very unkind to The Quakers and The Warriors took full advantage!
Outsourcing Salem 30-5 in the second half of the game with a 16-3 third quarter and a 14-2 fourth quarter! The Warriors routed Salem in the second half to pick up their first win over The Quakers in almost three years with a 49-23 final!
Sophie Gregory was magic once again! A player of the Game performance for Gregory in which she scored 25 points with 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks and 4 steals she more than made an impact in every facet of the game. Also a notable performance from Chloe Dennison who heated up in the second half scoring all 10 points on the night during crunch time while knocking down a pair of triples! Audrey Eaton also made contributions, nailing down a pair of threes as well and finishing with 6 points. Lauryn Barton was the leading scorer for Salem, finishing with 8 points followed by Rylee Hutton with 5 points.
West Branch (6-0)(5-0) now has firm control of the Eastern Buckeye Conference (EBC) with a perfect record the first time through. The Warriors next contest will be a former conference foe when they host The Louisville Leopards (5-1) on Saturday, December 16th. For Salem (2-5)(1-4) they will now look ahead to Canfield (2-2) in a home bout with The Cards at The Cab, also on Saturday! Keep updated with all West Branch and Salem winter athletics with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!
