The girls’ varsity basketball team lost their district semifinal playoff game against the rival Edgewood Red Wolves 45-24 on Wednesday night. The third-seeded Wildcats faced up against the second-seeded Red Wolves in the neutral site of Cocoa Beach High School.

Senior Abby Hedrick said that the team knew they would have to be resilient to have a shot at winning the game. 

“We knew we had to be mentally tough and just want it more than the other team,” Hedrick, who had 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, said. 

Freshman Emily Marshall also pointed to the team’s mindset heading into the game. 

“We believed we could beat that team and we did our best to perform,” Marshall said.

Both Marshall and Hedrick said they were happy with how the team played during the first half, as they were up 15-13 at the half. However, Edgewood would end up having a “lucky” second half. 

“It felt like they just weren’t missing any of their shots that hadn’t been going in during the first half,” Marshall said. 

Aside from Hedrick, only two other West Shore players scored during the game, 10 points from eighth-grader Erynn M. and 5 from senior Anylah Rembert. The Wildcats were outscored by 23 in the second half. 

The outcome of this game moves the Wildcats to 12-12 and Edgewood to 17-1. Edgewood now plays Holy Trinity in the district finals on Friday. It is unclear whether West Shore will be selected to play in the regional playoffs, or if this will end up being the final match of the season. 

By Jack Grimison

Editor’s note: Brevard Public Schools policy prohibits the inclusion of middle-schoolers’ last names on district-sponsored websites.