The game began with a pink ball representing breast cancer research.
Photo credit: Danielle Kahn

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – Westborough fell to Holy Name during the first round of the 10thAnnual Invitational Tournament on Sunday. Eight high school girl’s basketball teams competed against each other to raise money for the WBCA Play 4 Kay Day.

Westborough, the 8th seeded team, played against Holy Name, the 1st seeded team and lost 53-43. The game was close all evening but Holy Name stayed ahead. The Worcester team came out strong in the first quarter scoring 10 points before Westborough got on the board.

The Westborough Rangers made it a close game at the end of the second quarter when they came within three points of Holy Name Napoleons. Senior Whitney Woodcock helped the team stay close by scoring two 3-pointers.

Coach Scott Kittredge believed the team played well against the 18-0 Holy Name team.

“They are one of the best teams in the district and I think we fought right with them,” Kittredge said. “I’m proud of the girls. I thought they fought well.”

Kittredge said the team enjoys participating in the WBCA Play 4 Kay Day and Annual Invitational Tournament.

“The event is very successful and we’ve donated a lot of money over the years. All eight teams have done a great job fundraising and it’s all about raising awareness,” Kittredge said.

Westborough High School Athletic Director Johanna DiCarlo said the Annual Invitational Tournament helps put a spotlight on girl’s basketball.

“We really wanted to showcase girl’s basketball,” DiCarlo said. “There are a lot of different tournaments for the boy’s team but not so many for the girls.”

The tournament, which is held every year during the school’s February vacation brings in talented teams throughout the area. The money raised on the WBCA Play 4 Kay Day goes toward the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to help fund women’s cancer research.

The Westborough Rangers will play the Millbury Woolies at 3:30 p.m. at Westborough High School in round two of the tournament. Kittredge said the game promises to be interesting.

“They’re a well-coached team but it will be a battle,” Kittredge said. “We’re both going to go hard.”