Back-to-back Demon attack

WASHINGTON - By Doug Brenneman, The Union

WASHINGTON - A seven-point halftime lead became a 14-point title-clinching victory and double-digit point totals by four Washington players became the impetus for a team to celebrate becoming a two-time Southeast Conference champion.

On Feb. 14, 2020, an overtime home win against Keokuk gave the Demons an outright SEC title. Friday, a decisive third quarter gave the Demons a co-championship with Burlington, which defeated Fort Madison 66-35 Friday. Both teams finish the league schedule at 7-3, splitting head-to-head meetings.

Demon Ethan Patterson split Keokuk's chance to become champ, connecting on four threes in the second half, when he scored 16 of his game-high 20 points. Keokuk's leading scorer was Anthony Potratz with 11. Washington had Trashaun Willis as the double-double man: 10 rebounds and 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting. Lance Sobaski was 5-for-5 for his 10 points with four rebounds and two assists. Travis Leyden hit a two and a three in each half for his 10 points and snaked three steals. Lucas Kroll hammered the boards for nine rebounds to go with his seven points.

'The turning point was our second quarter,” Stark said. The Chiefs made a basket at 4:48 and hit another at the minute mark. Just two field goals in the frame. 'If we can defend, we are going to be a tough out.”

Kasen Bailey got 10 minutes of play as he returned to action with three assists, his first game since an injury in the Fairfield game Jan. 8.

'We had set a certain amount as a limit, but Lance got his fourth foul so my time went up,” Bailey said.

Sobaski netted three buckets and Patterson's first triple started the second half on a 9-3 run.

'I just took what they gave me,” Sobaski said. 'I'm not focused on numbers. Except the ones for the score.”

The Chiefs answered with six straight points, prompting WHS coach Collin Stark to get a timeout with 3:30 remaining in the third.

Kroll scored the next four Demon points on offensive rebounds, Patterson drilled consecutive threes that produced exuberance with high fives between him and Bailey.

'When he does good we get hyped, when I do good we get hyped,” Patterson said. 'That's just how good of friends and teammates we all are.”

Friends, teammates and now conference champions. Again.

Demon girls defend

Washington defense and Keokuk free throws were the story of the 42-22 Washington girls loss.

Keokuk shot 10 free throws in the first quarter and led 6-4, three in the second and led 16-6, seven in the third and led 25-17 and six in the fourth to win 42-22. The Demons were 7-of-11 at the line, all in the second half.

A 7-0 run from Makenna Conrad's two free throws, Kaylin Long's trey, a Nacos' steal and a Conrad jumper in the lane brought the Demons to within 20-17 with 1 minute, 42 seconds to go in the third quarter.

Then Nacos, who finished with six points and three steals, had a brief medical time out. The Keokuk press took advantage and scored the last five points of the frame and the first six points of the fourth. Now its 31-17.

'I really feel bad that I went out at just the absolute wrong time,” Nacos said.

Alex Murphy finished an and-one and Nacos sank a driving layup for a 31-22 score with 5:32.

Abi Wolters went 6-for-15 at the line in the game but 3-for-4 in the fourth to lead Keokuk with 20 points.

'I thought we played great defense all night,” WHS coach Shannon Rugg said. 'Determination and execution on our part is what got us there and we'll go farther if we just keep working.”