Springwood Academy guard Eli Westbrook entered the Wildcats’ Elite Eight contest against Morgan Academy averaging 18 points a game.

Westbrook scored 36 points as the Wildcats cruised to an easy 78-51 victory on Tuesday.

Springwood Academy finished as the fourth team in its Region, which motivated the Wildcats.

“We had to play on the road against a number one seed, but we were prepared,” Westbrook said. 

Springwood Academy  (13-14) jumped out to a 21-9 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Westbrook scored eight points in the first quarter. Springwood Academy closed the quarter with a 13-1 run.

The Wildcats remained hot, increasing their lead to 33-11 as Westbrook scored nine points. Chase Carithers hit two three-pointers during the period.

The Senators closed the quarter with a 13-3 run, getting within 36-24 at halftime. . Cole Wilson had six of his 19 points in the spurt.  Teddy Henry had six of his 14 points during the run.

But the Wildcats opened the second half with a 10-2 run, all but delivering the knockout punch for a commanding 44-26 lead.

Westbrook had six points to start the third quarter. The Wildcats led 63-35 after three quarters.

“It’s a lot different when you’re playing on the road in a hostile environment,” Wildcats head coach Lisa Sampson said. “You have to play well and the players did just that.”

Point guard Micah Thomas had a double-double for Springwood Academy, scoring 11 points and 12 assists.

Westbrook’s brother, Daniel Westbrook, had eight points but grabbed seven rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, Springwood Academy emptied its bench and began looking toward a berth in the Final Four on Thursday at Montgomery’s Multi-plex.

Four days after winning the Region 2 championship at Fort Dale Academy, the Senators finished 13-13.

Five seniors played their final basketball game at Morgan Academy.

John Beekman Youngblood, Allen Michael Creech, Allen Lightfoot, Teddy Henry and Cole Wilson played their final Morgan Academy basketball game

After the game, Morgan Academy head coach Lebo Jones told the Senators he was proud of them for their accomplishments this season.