Emotions ran high in the West High gymnasium tonight. The City High boys basketball team took on the undefeated Trojans for the second time this season. Although the crosstown rivalry has always brought excitement to the students and fans, I did not know what to expect coming into the gym tonight.

There is no doubt they are a dominant force once again in the state. An undefeated record that has become a trend against our unestablished program. Tonight though, is a sign of good things to come. Why? Have a look at a summary and some statistics that may turn your head, credit to yours truly, with the help of West High manager and friend, Tommy Duffy.

A little over a month ago West High came to City and walked out with a (64-40) win.  A 24-point win that win marked 10th meeting in a row that West High had beaten City. West won those 10 games by an average of 26 points.

Since the loss to West High early in the new year, City has struggled with consistency, managing only a (4-6) record before battling the Trojans again. West averages 73 points a game, and allows only an average of 49 points. The first interaction between City and West this year sounded like a typical West High win. Tonight was different.

City High lost to West by a score of (63-66). We once again held them to almost 10 points below their average bucket total. City High stayed within seven points of West for all of the game and kept fans on their feet for the whole four quarters, as they have failed to do in the past. City has averaged only 53 points a game in conference play before tonight. Losing by three points to arguably the best team in the state is never a bad result. This including the fact that the three point deficit that split the two teams is the smallest margin that West High has won by all year.

Coming so close to victory may empower the young City High squad into something it hasn’t seen for  years. Coach Showalter put his money where his name is tonight, proving the potential in the senior led, sophomore based team. Tonight brought a new spark under the Little Hawk team that makes me excited to see them continue their season. It’s great to be a Little Hawk!

– Scott Tribbey

Read the play-by-play write-up by Dominic Balestrieri-Fox here: