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On Monday night, the Lady Rockets came back to beat the Lady Eagles while the Rockets ended their home slate undefeated.

It was Eighth Grade Night at Westwood and between the girls and boys games, eighth grade members of the cheerleading squad and basketball teams were honored.

Recognized from Westwood’s basketball teams were Lady Rockets Kylie Evans, Shaylee Meadows, Allison Russ and Addi Teal and Rockets Brady Christian, Bridger Gray, Caleb Hill, Kaden Ingle, Zane and Zeke Jones, Braiden Ramsey and Mason Troxler.

This season hasn’t been easy on the Lady Rockets, and the young team has struggled to find ways to win.

However, on Eighth Grade Night, the Lady Rockets would not be denied.

The Lady Eagles led the game throughout the first half, outscoring Westwood 10-7 in the first quarter and 9-4 in the second quarter to lead at halftime, 19-11.

After halftime, the Lady Rockets came flying back, outscoring Eagleville 18-8 in the third on the strength of Zallona Dillard’s 11 third quarter points to take a two point lead into the fourth, 29-27.

The Lady Rockets would outscore the Lady Eagles 12-4 in the fourth, and win their fifth game of the season, 41-31.

“Once we gained the lead, we never let up,” said Coach Shala Ferrell. “They were really motivated tonight.”

Scoring for the Lady Rockets were Zallona Dillard with 28 points, Jerzee Ferrell with six points, Maci Jackson with four points, Kylie Evans with two points and Allison Russ with one point.

When talking about the eighth graders on the Lady Rockets, Ferrell said, “I only had one eighth grader that was a returning starter in Kylie Evans and the other three (Shaylee Meadows, Allison Russ and Addi Teal) have played more this year than in their entire time here at Westwood. I’ve seen a lot of growth in my eighth grade players, especially Allison Russ and Shaylee Meadows.”

Meanwhile, the Rockets were looking to go undefeated at Joel Vinson Gymnasium.

The Rockets dominated at the start, outscoring the Eagles 17-5 in the first quarter. 

The Eagles would try to stay with the Rockets in the second quarter, but Westwood still lead at halftime, 27-13.

The Rockets din’t let up in the second half, outscoring Eagleville 17-13 in the third quarter with Caleb Hill scoring 12 of those 17 third quarter points to lead 44-26 heading into the fourth quarter before winning the game, 53-37.

The Rockets finished the season with an 8-0 record at Joel Vinson Gymnasium.

“The team was excited to get that win,” said Coach Anita Gannon. “It feels great to finish the year undefeated at home.”

Scoring for the Rockets were Caleb Hill with 21 points, Zeke Jones and Mason Troxler with 10 points each, Brady Christian with six points, Kaden Ingle with four and Isaiah Buchanan with two points.

When asked about her eighth grade players, Gannon said, “I’ve been coaching them since they were in sixth grade. They have been great role models and leaders this year. It’s always a blessing when you have a group of older kids that take the younger generation under their wing, and the sixth and seventh graders know that they have big shoes to fill.”

The Rockets improve to 17-2 on the year, including 13 straight wins.

Up next for Westwood’s Basketball teams will be the Duck River Valley Conference Tournament, which starts Dec. 11.