Demons nip Trojans for new year win

WASHINGTON — Washington and Fairfield both came into their Friday night contest off wins.

The Trojans got their first win of the new year against Centerville on Monday, while the Demons left 2022 with a win over Fort Madison.

When the final buzzer sounded in the two squads meeting in Washington last week, it was the Demons getting their first 2023 victory over the Trojans 62-49.

It was a battle through and through.

The two traded baskets early, but after going up 5-2, Washington would never trail in the contest.

Washington followed with a 6-2 run to make it an 11-6 ballgame.

The Trojans were able to cut it to two at 11-9 with a trio of free throws from Max Weaton.

Ethan Patterson hit a two with nine seconds left in the first to make it a 13-9 game heading into the second.

In the second quarter of action, Weaton got the Trojans on the board from the line once again making it 13-11, but they wouldn’t score again for over four minutes.

During that span, the Demons scored eight unanswered to build up a 21-11 advantage.

Tate Allen was able to end the Trojans scoring drought, hitting one of two from the line at 3:19, but Washington scored five more unanswered up until the 1:51, giving the Demons a 26-12 lead.

In the final 1:51, Fairfield fought its way back.

The Trojans ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to make it a six point ballgame at the break, 26-20. Weaton and JJ Lane scored four a piece to make the run.

Throughout the third, Washington was able to keep a steady lead, jumping out to a 36-24 lead on a 10-4 run.

In the final 2:58, Weaton delivered eight straight points for the Trojans, including six from the stripe, to cut it to eight, 40-32.

Any momentum was thwarted though as Patterson buried a three while getting fouled. After converting the free throw, Washington took a 44-32 lead into the fourth.

In the final quarter of action, Fairfield was able to keep it to single digits, but could never get over the cusp.

Fairfield was able to get within seven at 49-42 after a 10-5 run to start the quarter.

That’s as close as the Trojans would come, as Washington ended the game on an 13-7 run to seal it.

Washington improves to 5-4 with the win, while the Trojans drop to 4-5 on the season.

Washington had four players in double figures, with Ajay Six scoring 15, Patterson 14, Aden Six 13 and Logan McDole with 11.

For Fairfield, Max Weaton led with 30 points.