Westerville — Survive and advance. It’s a phrase often heard during March Madness when an underdog makes a deep tournament run, but it holds just as true for higher-seeded teams like Westerville Central. Sometimes, it’s not about playing your best game—it’s simply about winning. In the playoffs, there’s no time for over analysis, only for focusing on the next challenge ahead.
Westerville Central’s 45-23 victory over Watkins Memorial on Saturday night in the Division II girls basketball playoffs was defined by a defensive masterpiece, even if the offensive execution left something to be desired. But at this stage, style points don’t matter—Westerville Central won, and that’s all that counts.
Westerville Central Head Coach Justin Patrick emphasized that the Lady Warhawks stayed true to their identity. “We are a defensive team first off. Shots come and go, but our defense is our staple,” Patrick said. “I just told the girls—win and move on to the next game.”
Senior Prescilla Adjel reinforced the team’s defensive mindset. “At times, we can struggle a bit offensively, but defense has been our main thing,” she said. “We like to keep teams under 40-45 points, and that has been a key focus.”
The Lady Warhawks’ defensive dominance was on full display as they forced 18 turnovers and won the battle on the boards, outrebounding Watkins Memorial 28-21. Offensively, Prescilla Adjel led the way with 18 points and six rebounds, the only Lady Warhawk to reach double figures in the win.
Adjel had to battle through adversity to reach the end of this game. After picking up her third and fourth fouls, she was forced to sit out the final minutes of the second quarter and most of the third. Despite the setback, she never wavered in her confidence. “This could have been my last game, so I wanted to play as tough as I can,” she reflected. “We prepared all week, so I trusted my team and had faith that they’d be just fine without me.”
Coach Patrick highlighted Adjel’s significance to the team and her untapped potential. “She was a key part of our success last year, and she is someone who doesn’t know how good she really is,” he said. “She can score at all three levels, guard four positions, and she is just tough.”
Other key contributors for Westerville Central included Audrey Reed, who chipped in seven points and six rebounds, and Ella Martin, who added seven points and four boards. While the Lady Warhawks didn’t showcase their best offensive performance, Reed and Martin’s efforts provided key support in the victory.
On a team with only one senior, Coach Patrick attributes some of the hiccups to that of youth his team has, “With our inexperience this year, I think we came out a little tight,” he analyzed. “We look young and inexperienced at times and that is okay. All that matters is that we got the win.”
Westerville Central now moves on to face Bishop Watterson for the district championship on Thursday at the Ohio Expo Center. The winner will advance to the regional tournament at Pickerington North, where they will meet the winner of Dublin Scioto vs. Westerville South.
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