Washington continues dominance

WASHINGTON — Everything came together for Washington Friday night. The fifth-rated Demon boys picked up their sixth win of the season without a loss Friday night in a 70-41 win over the Panthers of Mt. Pleasant.

“Just how we played today, that’s how we want to play,” Washington head coach Collin Stark said. “That’s when we’re at our best. Obviously, teams are going to try and take that away from us. So far we’ve been experienced enough to get that tempo going.”

In the first, the Demons asserted their dominance putting up 25 points — which included both a 10-0 run and 9-0 run — all while holding the Panthers to just eight.

Mt. Pleasant settled for a lot of deep balls in the first quarter, but that changed heading into the second.

The Panthers began to take it to the Demons, specifically in the paint. Washington got into foul trouble and Mt. Pleasant slowly gained momentum, ending the quarter with an 11-5 run, eight of which came from sophomore Payton Hagans.

Mt. Pleasant won the quarter 16-12, but Washington still held a 37-24 lead heading into halftime.

“We battled back there a little bit,” Mt. Pleasant head coach Eric Rawson said. “Again, we were stressing dribble drive penetration, finishing off two feet. Attack. We tried to draw some fouls because we were in the bonus. At least we were shooting foul shots. It seemed like at times we were settling. That needs to be cleaned up.”

In the second half, the Demons took over.

“I wasn’t expecting us to open it up that much,” Stark said. “Mt. Pleasant has a great team, but it was our night tonight. In the first half, when we had three key guys in foul trouble, it was just about holding steady. Our guys did that, which allowed us to open it up.”

Washington began the third with an 8-0 run, and would go on to win the quarter 18-12 after Kasen Bailey went the full-length of the court and laid the ball in at the buzzer. Washington led 55-36 at the end of the third.

The Panthers struggled offensively once again in the fourth. Mt. Pleasant scored just five points in the final quarter of play, while Washington added 15 to its total.

Washington had nine different scorers in the game.

The Demons were led by Bailey, who scored 17 points in the contest. Lance Sobaski added 13 points and five rebounds. Ethan Patterson chipped in 10. Ajay Six had eight. Aden Six and Travis Leyden both ended with six. Lucas Kroll finished with five. Avery Six scored three and Kole Williams two.

Bailey said having so many people that can score the ball is a luxury for the team.

“It’s big for us as a team,” he said. “Then we can rely on someone else when others arn’t going. I think it takes the pressure off of us.”

For Mt. Pleasant, Hagans finished with a game high 18 points and five rebounds. Dewon Trent finished with 14. Aaiden Ashton added five and Dylon Hagans scored four.

Washington moves to 6-0 (3-0) on the season, while Mt. Pleasant drops to 2-4 (1-2).

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com