In a lineup filled with seniors, Washington junior guard Derek Anding stole the spotlight Tuesday evening in Wellman. Anding, who had scored 12 varsity points the entire 2013-14 season, scored a career high 25 points in his first varsity start. The effort helped Washington to a 58-35 season opening victory over the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks last night at Tim Grady Gymnasium.

Washington boys’ basketball coach Bryce Smeins says Anding showed flashes of his scoring potential last season on the junior varsity squad, “He’d have nine, then he’d have 20, then he’d have 28, and I think he had 30 in a game last year.” Smeins said, “We knew he could score, he did so for us on junior varsity last year. To come out and have 25 in your (varsity) opener is solid.”

After falling down 2-0 in the first minute of the game, Washington went on a 25-1 run to end the first quarter. The Demons grew the lead to 36-11 at halftime, and led 47-18 after the end of three quarters.

Senior Gage Redlinger had a double-double for Washington, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the victory. Senior Thomas Bump, the team’s leading scorer for last season, had eight points all in the first half.

Junior Noah Faselt finished with nine points to lead the Golden Hawks. Colin Weber added six points for Mid-Prairie in the setback.

The win improves Washington to 1-0 on the season and the Demons return to the court next Tuesday visiting the Muscatine Muskies. Mid-Prairie falls to 0-1 on the season, and returns to the court Friday traveling for a conference game with the North Cedar Knights.

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