Rams take two district games from Church Point

The Westlake Rams did something Friday that most teams never get the opportunity to do, to win two district games in one day. The Rams completed the two game sweep with a 59-45 win in the nightcap against the Church Point Bears.

Westlake (9-18, 2-5) started the game executing on both ends of the floor to take a 40-18 lead in at halftime. But Church Point (0-27, 0-7) didn't allow the game to get out of hand when they held the Rams to just eight points while hitting four three-pointers to draw back within 14, 48-34 going into the fourth quarter.

"We came out with good intensity in the first half and played real well and didn't try to do too much with the basketball," said Westlake head coach Doug Morris. "In the third quarter, we come out a little nonchalant and thinking the game was over. They ended up coming back and making a ball game."

The Bears continued the attack in the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run in the first minute to make it an eight-point game. That would be the closest Church Point would be able to get as Westlake sealed the victory by only allowing one field goal in the last two minutes of the game.

"We dug deep and figured it out for our second win of the season in district play," continued Morris. "We hadn't won in almost a month so it felt good.

"They played very well as a team. The biggest key for me was that they played hard today."

After taking an 18-12 lead after the first quarter, the Rams pulled away by taking advantage of four minute scoring drought. Westlake ended the first half on a 15-0 run.

Christian Weber led the charge for Westlake with 15 of his game-high 24 points in the second quarter.

Dylan Abbott added 12 points for the Rams and Randy Hesse scored nine.

Devante Malveaux led Church Point with 17 points with Kenyon Guillory scoring nine for the Bears.

Friday night's game was the last for seniors Dylan Abbott, Jessie Bruce, Donavon Lawerence, Christian Weber, Gareth McConathy, and Jeremy Ellender whom were honored prior to the game.

Westlake 39, Church Point 30
WESTLAKE–In what very well could be the longest game in Westlake basketball history, the Westlake Rams picked up their first District 4-3A win on Friday afternoon with a 39-30 victory over the Church Point Bears.

On January 19th, the game was postponed in just nine seconds into the third quarter due to a bomb threat in Church Point. The game was completed in Westlake with Church Point leading 21-17 with 7:51 on the clock.

"Never had we ever had to play half a basketball game for any reason," Rams' head coach Doug Morris said on the situation. "This is the first time ever."

The Rams cut the deficit to one quickly on a Christian Weber three from the left corner. Weber then tied the game just a minute later with a fast-break basket then gave the Rams the lead on the next Westlake possession for a score of 25-23.

"He had a great game," Morris said on Weber. "Everybody played hard. That's what I told them they had to do. We finished when we attacked the bucket or we hustled enough to get the rebound to get the extra shot."

The Bears hit two free throws before the end of the period to tie the game 25-25 going into the final quarter.

Westlake opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run capped by a Weber three-pointer from the right side to take a 32-25 lead. The Bears climbed back to within two with just under three minutes left, but Westlake closed the game with a 7-0 run to take the district win.

"It felt great," said Morris on getting the district victory.

Weber led all scorers with 19 points, 17 of which came in the second half. Jesse Bruce added nine points for the Rams.

Tyrone Alexander and Desmend Bellard each scored eight points to lead Church Point.