Rivalries in sports add thrill and excitement to an already entertaining event. Each year, the players on West keep a close eye on the dates of their matchups against Central, as they are considered must-win games for their season. With West’s 68-54 victory at West on Feb. 3, they now have 8 consecutive wins against Central in regular-season matchups.
Senior Blake LaFaive is West’s starting point guard, who recorded 17 points and 8 assists in his contribution to West’s win.
“[I’m most proud of] the 8 assists, as the point guard, I just try to get my team involved,” LaFaive said.
Going into the game, LaFaive was already fired up from the atmosphere that the audience created.
“I was really excited, you know, big crowd, big student section. It was really fun. A lot of energy in the building,” LaFaive said.
Another player who played a big role in West’s victory against Central was Senior Carter Grubb, who contributed 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Going into games, Grubb ignores any doubt and builds confidence into his mentality during intense matchups like these.
“We know we’re better than them, and we just know we’re going to win. Some games we know are tougher matchups, but our mindset stays the same,” Grubb said.
Grubb has beaten Central at home and at Central’s court as well, but one win feels more satisfying than the other one.
“It just feels better. There’s more of a sense of respect when you win [at Central],” Grubb said.
The third pillar that helped West was Senior Brody Jones, who received the Titan Hard Hat acknowledgement for his defensive effort and his hustle ability during the game. In addition to the Titan Hard Hat acknowledgement, Jones was also able to remain focused and not let Central’s section’s trash talk affect him.
“I just try to block it out, focus on what’s happening on the court, and just play,” Jones said.
Other players who contributed to the score for West were seniors Owen Ribel with 19 points and Ashton Royle with 7 points.
Even though there is an intense rivalry between West and Central, some seniors on West are sad that the rivalry is coming to an end for them.
“If it is the last one, then yeah, I’m definitely going to miss it,” Grubb said.
![“[She is First will] do the craft show which is in the fall at West it’s run in like the commons and some of the class wings and we usually just make stuff or we sell baked goods so it’s kind of like a combination of ornaments for Christmas and then just different like knickknacks and stuff that students make and then like cookies,” Polk said.](https://wshoccidentalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/New-club-leaders-she-is-the-first--1200x900.jpg)
