The Westfield boys basketball team played its first home game of the season Tuesday, and gave a large home crowd quite a bit to cheer about.
The Shamrocks beat Pendleton Heights 70-52, accomplishing two achievements in one game: It was the first time Westfield had beaten the Arabians since 2012, and the first time the ‘Rocks got off to a 2-0 start since 2008.
“That was definitely on our guys’ mind,” said Westfield coach Shane Sumpter about beating Pendleton. “It’s a program with a lot of tradition. It’s very well-coached. They play hard, they get after it. It was one of those games, again. So, very excited for our guys, our program to finally get over the hump against them. They do a really good job there.”
The Shamrocks outscored the Arabians in each of the four quarters. The first one was tight, but Westfield managed to get out of it with an 18-15 lead. Braden Smith scored seven points for the ‘Rocks.
Westfield took control in the second period, outscoring Pendleton Heights 21-12. Six different Shamrocks players scored, with Cam Haffner throwing in two 3-pointers, and adding another basket for eight points in that quarter. That helped the ‘Rocks to a 39-27 lead at halftime.
Westfield continued to play well defensively in the third quarter, only allowing the Arabians 11 points. Smith said that the Shamrocks “work for it every day” in practice on defense.
“We’re diving on the floor, we have blood all over ourselves and we have hard practices, man, and we just work for this,” said Smith.
Three Westfield players finished the game in double figures. Smith led with 24 points, including three 3-pointers, while Haffner scored 12 points. Benji Welch added 11 points.
“I thought we had a lot of other guys step up offensively tonight,” said Sumpter.
Smith collected nine rebounds, with Nic Depasquale pulling six rebounds and Haffner getting five. Smith also handed out five assists.
The Shamrocks open Hoosier Crossroads Conference play Friday at The Rock, hosting Zionsville.
WESTFIELD 70, PENDLETON HEIGHTS 52
Westfield FG FT TP PF
Braden Smith 8-19 5-5 24 0
Matt Penley 1-3 0-1 2 2
Benji Welch 3-4 4-5 11 2
Zach Byrer 4-5 0-0 8 1
Camden Simons 2-6 0-0 4 1
Nic Depasquale 3-5 3-4 9 3
Cam Haffner 5-7 0-0 12 1
Eli Patchett 0-0 0-0 0 2
Totals 26-49 12-15 70 12
Score by Quarters
Pendleton 15 12 11 14 – 52
Westfield 18 21 16 15 – 70
Westfield 3-point shooting (6-12) Smith 3-6, Haffner 2-3, Welch 1-2, Penley 0-1.
Westfield rebounds (35) Smith 9, Depasquale 6, Haffner 5, Welch 4, Simons 4, Byrer 4, Patchett 2, Penley 1.
Westfield’s Braden Smith scored 24 points and was one of three players in double figures for the Shamrocks in their 70-52 win over Pendleton Heights Tuesday at The Rock. (Richie Hall)