2007. A year when George W. was still in office, Soulja Boy’s ‘Crank That’ swept the Billboard Top 100, and current Washington High School basketball players were just starting their preschool journeys. Oh, and it was also the last time the Washington boys basketball team captured a Southeast Conference title. That was, of course, until last night happened. The Demons put their long conference title drought to bed when they upended Keokuk 73-70 in an overtime game full of emotions in front of a jam-packed gym on senior night.
As heard on KCII, the Demons drew first blood jumping all over the Chiefs for a 22-11 lead after one and 33-23 at the break on the strength of suffocating defense and the ability to get into the lane at the other end. The Chiefs would not go down without a fight and quickly stormed back to tie it halfway through the third with a dogfight ensuing after. Both teams traded punches the rest of the way and fast forward to 15 seconds left Brock Sobaski extended a one point lead to three after a pair of made free throws. Keokuk’s Isaiah Seay had a contested and-one three that fell through with six seconds left to even the score at 62-62. Seay missed the would be game-winning free throw and an Ethan Hunt three attempt at the buzzer that rattled out meant free basketball for everyone. The back-and-forth trend continued in overtime with the Demons finding themselves in a similar situation being up one with 15 seconds left. A Sobaski and Ethan Patterson made free throw pushed the lead to three and one final heave by the Chiefs was left short. A party broke out on the court with Washington feeling the love on Valentine’s Day from Demon Faithful and Sobaski tells KCII Sports there was nothing like it. “It was probably the most fun I have ever had here. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior night. My emotions were everywhere being the last time playing here, but it’s a great feeling coming out with a win.”
Trashaun Willis was electric with a couple thunderous dunks sprinkled in with a few threes to finish with a game-high 22 points. Luke Turner added 16 points and Sobaski had nine.
Washington heads into district play with a 14-6 overall mark and 9-1 in the SEC while the Chiefs finish with a 7-3 record in the league. The Demons now turn their attention to the playoffs, as they face off with Mount Pleasant (10-9) in the first round of districts on Monday, February 24th at Davenport Assumption.
The Demon girls dug themselves an early hole trailing 16-6 after one and could never fully recover, as they fell to the Chiefs 48-28. After posting just nine points in the first two quarters, Washington started to get a little rhythm offensively in the second half where Addison Six posted eight of her team-high nine points. Olivia Pacha chipped in with six points for the Demons that conclude the regular season at 11-9 overall and 4-6 in the league. First round of regionals is Wednesday when Washington hosts Newton (7-14) in a game that can be heard on KCII.