MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Westwood Middle School tipped off its 2026-27 basketball season Thursday evening.

Hosting Forrest, the Lady Rockets opened up the doubleheader with a come-from-behind 36-35 victory. The Rockets followed this up with another close contest in the boys’ game, but fell 40-35 to deny Westwood the sweep.

Westwood returns to action with a road trip to Lewisburg Monday, with the girls’ game slated to start at 6 p.m.

Lady Rockets fight back for win over Forrest

Up 8-6 at the end of the first quarter, the Lady Rockets fell behind as the first half continued following an offensive surge from Forrest. Trailing by 10 points late in the second quarter, Westwood was able to add one more basket to go into the half down 22-14.

The Lady Rockets followed this up with a strong offensive showing of their own in the third quarter, quickly tying it and taking the lead over of its course. By the time the buzzer sounded, Westwood had picked up 16 points and held Forrest scoreless to take a 30-22 lead into the fourth quarter.

Forrest began to climb back into it from there, cutting the Westwood lead to 31-30 before taking a 33-31 advantage on a 3-pointer. After Westwood tied it at 33 apiece on the next basket, Forrest answered right back with two more points to retake the lead once again.

After draining the tying basket, Lyza Cashion went on to go to the free throw line not long after and put the Lady Rockets back ahead 36-35. Westwood held its one point lead from there through the final buzzer to secure the season-opening win.

Adley Selvog led the Lady Rockets’ offense with 14 points. Paisley Prater followed with 10 points. Ashlyn Allen added six points. Cashion came away with four points. Virginia Sandria had a single field goal for two points.

Rockets fall behind late in loss

Westwood found itself in an early hole to open the boys’ game, with Forrest getting off to a quick start on an 8-0 lead. The Rockets proceeded to get on the board with a free throw, but ultimately finished the first quarter down 13-6.

The Rocket offense began to take off in the second quarter. After Forrest opened the quarter with a single free throw, Westwood followed with 13 unanswered points to take a 19-14 lead. Forrest added two more free throws before the clock struck zero to send Westwood into the break leading 19-16.

The Rockets continued to hold a slim lead for much of the third quarter, but Forrest was able to tie it late on a trey to ultimately make it a 27-27 game going into the fourth.

After Forrest took control on a pair of free throws early in the final quarter, Westwood tied it back up at 29-29 before nailing two from the stripe to go up 31-29. The two teams followed this up by trading 3-pointers, leaving Westwood with a 34-32 lead.

Forrest answered with another 3-pointer of its own on the next basket, putting Westwood down by one. Westwood was unable to get back in front from there, with Forrest maintaining a narrow lead to hand the Rockets a home loss.

Malachi Duke led the Westwood offensive effort with 20 points.