West Junior High’s eighth-grade basketball team smarted from a 27-26 setback to rival Southwest two weeks ago, but the Warhawks knew at least they would get another shot at the Bulldogs.

But the second go-round again ended sadly for West, which this time watched Southwest pull out a 26-23 victory on Jan. 24 at Southwest Junior High.

“We waited a little too long to play hard,” West coach Mike Ofer said. “We waited until the second half to really play. I am still proud of the team and always will be.”

Southwest started out strong, scoring the first bucket of the game. West’s power player Christian Nelson answered back with a resounding three-point shot from near-NBA range.

A few moments later Drake DeBiasse sunk a wide open three-point shot for Southwest that tied the game at 5-all. With just a few seconds left in the first, Southwest sunk another basket to take the two-point advantage.

Both Nelson and Nick Jaimez stepped up for West in the second quarter, but it was Evan Sloan who scored a lay-up to tie things again at 7-all.

With the ball in Southwest’s possession, it changed hands four times before settling with DeBiasse who drove behind West defenders for a back-door lay-up.

After Kirk Resseguie failed to secure a rebound putback, he finally got it right with a shot seconds later to round out the half with Southwest still holding a 11-7 edge.

“We had good rebounding and box-outs that really gave us the edge,” Southwest’s Michael Lisher said.

A foul for West eight seconds into the second half gave Southwest a chance at a free throw. Another two points were added on a Nick Hassig lay-up.

Warhawk Nick Jaimez drives against Bulldog defender Drake DeBiasse Jan. 24 at Southwest Junior High. The Bulldogs swept the Warhawks this season with the 27-26 win. In each contest the Bulldogs were able to squeak by with the one-point victory.

West rallied on a drive by Sloan and a basket by Jaimez. Ryan Scott followed suit a minute later with another rebound basket that helped close West’s point gap.

But a free throw by DeBiasse pushed Southwest ahead 17-14 going into the fourth.

Early in the quarter West took the lead when the Warhawks went on a 5-0 spurt, thanks to a three-pointer by Kevin Barber and tip-in by Jaimez.

Lisher knotted the contest at 19 with two free throws, then hit another basket to tie the game again with just over a minute left after West went back in front.

A lay-up from Adam Petz with 25 seconds left put Southwest back in front.

With the crowd at the edge of their seats, West attempted to tie the contest but couldn’t. A couple of free throws in the final seconds iced the victory for Southwest.

“Southwest has always been our biggest rival,” Ofer said. “I think (Southwest’s) Coach Snyder coaches a great team and it was a good game.”