Washington basketball fans had to wait 24 hours longer than expected, but the chance to get one step closer to Wells Fargo Arena is tonight for the Demon boys when they host Solon in a class 3A substate semifinal that was postponed from Thursday. 

The scouting report doesn’t need much changing, as these teams met up eight days ago at the same place with Washington winning a tussle by a 41-34 score despite shooting just five of 22 from long range. Defense is what the physical Spartan bunch predicates themselves on just giving up 42 points a night. They are 14-9 and advanced to this round after a 42-32 win over Center Point Urbana on Monday. Solon averages 48.3 points offensively with Jake Benzing recording 9.6 of them. It’ll be a battle of contrasting styles with the Demons wanting to push the pace putting up 64 points an outing. They are 19-3 and dispatched South Tama 54-29 in the first round. Three players average double figures with Ethan Patterson at 16.6, Kasen Bailey 15.1, and Lucas Kroll 10.3 points a game. 

Two wins separate these squads from a state bid and the victor will face Central DeWitt (17-6) on Monday. The Sabers defeated Cedar Rapids Xavier 82-75 last night. Listen to this evening’s play-by-play action on FM 106.1 KCII with the pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m. and tip set for 7 p.m. at Washington High School.