Before heading into Thanksgiving break, the West High girls basketball team opened its season against another top-10 opponent: Waukee. In previous years, Waukee has been a competitive matchup for West and a strong team statewide, so the Trojans entered the game determined to set themselves apart.
The game tipped off with Waukee gaining first possession, but West quickly responded. After regaining control of the ball, Ava Frese ’26 scored the first points of the night with seven minutes left in the first quarter. Midway through the quarter, both teams were tied, trading baskets until the Trojans ended the first quarter down 9–7.
Early in the second quarter, Abby Neumiller ’26 tied the game with a jump shot. The lead continued to shift until West pulled ahead 19–16 with two minutes remaining. Waukee quickly answered, though, taking a five-point lead. With one second left in the half, Grace Fincham ’26 hit a jump shot to close the gap, sending the Trojans into halftime trailing 26–23.
After a 10-minute break, West returned to the court focused and regrouped. Taleen Rahhal ’27 described the team’s mindset:
“We made sure to play our game and do so calmly, and moved on from every mistake to make the next play better. We also made sure to play as a team together and focus on what we are good at, both as a team and as individuals,” she said.
With seven minutes left in the third quarter, the Trojans began inching toward the lead after Sasha Baldwin ’27 knocked down a three-pointer off an assist from Fincham, bringing the score to 30–29. Another three from Baldwin gave West its first lead since early in the game. The Trojans kept the momentum and closed the quarter ahead 39–37.
Entering the final quarter with a small cushion, West stayed determined. With five minutes left, Frese widened the lead with a three-pointer, making it 48–44. After being fouled with 13 seconds remaining, Baldwin sank the final two points for West, securing the win. The Trojans finished with a 56–50 victory.
For West, the win served as a statement of the team’s potential this season.
“Waukee is historically a really solid team, and winning on Tuesday solidified for us that we can compete with teams like that. Frese said.
West’s next game is against Clear Creek Amana in the West High School Main Gym Dec. 2. Clear Creek Amana is ranked No. 4 in its class and is expected to be another competitive matchup.
