A top five showdown with the Southeast Conference title on the line in front of a packed house lived up to the billing on Friday in Washington when the No. 4 Demon boys clinched their third straight league crown with a 62-59 victory over No. 1 Fort Madison (15-2, 7-2).
As heard on KCII, both juggernauts showed what they are capable of in the game of runs when a 17-16 first quarter Demon lead grew to 13 at the break after a 20-8 quarter in favor of the home team. Miles Dear and the Bloodhounds never went away by racing back in the third to pull within four by the end of three 48-44. The lead got back up to double digits with a couple minutes remaining when things went sideways for Washington struggling to bring the ball up against the Fort Madison press. Knocking down just enough free throws in the end allowed the Demons to prevail and when the clock hit zeros the celebration was on at mid-court. Dear collected a game-high 28 points to lead the road squad. Washington had four players in double figures with Ethan Patterson recording 18 points, Lucas Kroll 14 points and 10 boards, Kasen Bailey 11 points, and Lance Sobaski registered 11 in his first game back from a four week injury.
This was the first three-peat for the program since the 1991-93 seasons and Head Coach Collin Stark tells KCII Sports it was thrice as nice. “This was our first goal to accomplish this year and we got bigger ones down the line. Our staff took over six years ago and I think it was great to see so many past players come support tonight. I hope they know what they helped build to get us to this point. I am so proud of everyone involved and they have earned every accomplishment they have. Our seniors have been a part of all three conference titles and I know they are excited to try and live out some more dreams the rest of the year.” The team improves to 15-2 overall and 8-1 in the SEC.
The Demon girls made a trip south to Fort Madison (12-4, 5-3) and lost 55-30. Kaylin Long and Alex Murphy led the team with nine points each and Murphy hauled in 10 rebounds. The orange and black drop to 3-15 overall and they finish fifth in the SEC with a 2-8 league mark.
Both Washington teams have a quick turnaround today traveling to face Clear Creek-Amana.