A History of the Westby High School

Girls’ Basketball Team

written in 1914

In 1910, the year that witnessed the opening of our new high school building, our first girls’ basketball team was organized. The team was coached by Mr. Godfrey. Only one game was played during the first year. The Westby girls attending high school at Viroqua contended with our girls and carried off the victory by close score of 6 to 5.

The next year saw no games for the team, although a great deal of practicing was done, with our coach, A.L. Godfrey.

During the school year 1912 and 1913 our girls played more games than they had played any other year. Arthur Thorson was chosen coach and Alette Schreiner captain at the beginning of the year. It was during this memorable period that the Westby High School Girls’ Basketball Team played excellently. Westby won the day 21 to 11.

This year has been rather too quiet to satisfy the minds of our wide-awake girls. Only two games have been played, both of them being with the Ontario High School. Westby over ran them in both games. The score there was 5 to 3. During the season Ruth Davidson proved to be an excellent captain and Mr. Petersen an energetic coach.

The Viroqua-Westby game at Viroqua, the winter of 1913-1914

The game played by our team at Viroqua was one of the fastest and hardest fought battles of the season. Considering that Viroqua high school had one of the best teams in the vicinity, the result of the game was a surprise. When the game ended the score was 14-12 in favor of our rivals.

The first part of the game was fast and furious. Our team ran up five points in the first few minutes of play. The score was 5-0 in our favor during the greater part of the first half. But Viroqua woke up in the situation; and the first half ended with a score of 8-5 in her favor.

The second half favored our opponents during the first few minutes of play, but our team tightened up, and the score was tied. Our fellows played on the defense and held the fellows down. Viroqua received many awarded points, and the game ended 14-12 in her favor.

Westby has been the only team to Viroqua down to such a close score on the latter’s floor.

Send all inquires, letters, questions or answers, and photos to Hans c/o the Westby Times or Hans at westby. times@gmail.com.