After losing to Pickerington Central 4-3 in nine innings in the opener last Monday, the Cougars bounced back with a pair of impressive efforts.Behind junior pitcher Brandi Rees, Westland beat Worthington Kilbourne 6-0 last Tuesday and Jonathan Alder 3-0 last Wednesday in its home opener. It was 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the OCC-Central Division before playing Hilliard Davidson last Friday.

Westland will return to action Thursday when it plays host to Buckeye Valley.

Last season, the Cougars finished 12-14 overall after losing to Teays Valley 11-1 in the Division I district tournament. Westland was 4-6 in the OCC-Ohio behind first-place Hilliard Darby (8-2).

"Talent-wise, I thought we were a little down this year, but we have a bunch of kids who get along, play hard together and want to be successful," North said. "Sometimes that overrides talent. We're going to be as talented down the road as other teams we've had here, but right now we're working on that."

Westland's returning all-league players are looking to lead the team. Back are seniors Carly Beasy (SS, first team) and Hailee Johnson (CF, first team), junior Rees (second team) and sophomore Courtney Kimmel (3B, honorable mention).

Rees pitched the first three games, including a two-hitter with nine strikeouts against Jonathan Alder.

Johnson had three hits against Central, two against Kilbourne and a triple and a run scored against Jonathan Alder. Beasy had two hits against Central.

Also back are seniors Kelsey Kincade (1B/OF) and Abby Scaff (1B). Kincade had a two-run triple against Central and two hits against Kilbourne.

"Everyone always doubts us, but this is our year," Kincade said. "We have a long way to go, we have a lot of opportunities."

Sophomore catcher Brittany Clutter had two hits against Kilbourne.

Rounding out the roster are sophomores Kaitlyn Chadwick (2B), Katie VanOrder (OF), Samantha Porter (OF/P), Bethany Emmons (OF), Chrissy Emmons (OF) and freshman Brooke Harris (OF).

"We have to quit swinging at bad pitches," North said. "We have kids playing positions that they haven't played before and they're still learning coverage, where we're suppose to be and when we're supposed to be there. This team is going to be a coaching process throughout the season."

North expects Darby to be the team to beat in the OCC-Central.

"I'm thinking Darby is going to be the elite team in the league," North said. "If you want to get to the top you have to beat Darby."

•The baseball team opened with a 5-3 win over Westerville South last Tuesday. Jose Reyes was the winning pitcher, with relief help from Sean Clutter.

The Cougars, who played Westerville Central last Thursday, will play host to Dublin Coffman on Monday.

•Anthony Jackson, a junior on the boys basketball team, was named third-team all-state in Division I.

Jackson, who averaged 21.9 points, was named Player of the Year in the OCC-Central and was first-team all-district.