I wouldn’t say it was a full on “Grinch” move by stealing a game away from the opponent, but snatching a victory at the last minute (literally) was what the Washington boys’ basketball team did last night in a fourth quarter comeback to triumph over Fort Madison 58-55.

As heard on KCII, the first quarter went as scripted for the Demons by racing out to a 9-0 lead and 18-7 advantage after one on the strength of suffocating half court defense and hot shooting from Trashaun Willis with three triples. The lead grew to as large as 14, but Kasen Bailey picked up his third foul with seven minutes left in the half and the tide immediately turned. The short handed Demons struggled to bring the ball up the court in the Bloodhounds’ 1-2-2 press and 6’4’’ athletic guard Dayton Davis had a hay day. The junior created many turnovers and carried Fort Madison offensively to tie the game up at 29-29 heading into break. Washington continued to be bothered by the press and a five point Bloodhound lead after three turned into 10 with seven minutes left. Tightening up on defense and taking care of the rock meant the comeback was on for the Demons. Trailing by two with 90 seconds left, Washington took their first lead of the second half when Ethan Patterson drilled his fifth three of the game from the left corner. The sophomore continued to make plays down the stretch by forcing a contested shot at the other end and corralling the rebound. Patterson sunk all four free throw attempts in the final minute to salt the game away and two of those were made possible by Willis. The senior made the play of the game with 19 seconds left when he went high for the board after a missed Demon free throw to keep the possession alive and Head Coach Collin Stark says that was one of many winning plays his team made when they needed it most. 

“Every single player made huge plays throughout the game. From Trashaun’s rebound, to Ethan’s shooting, Travis Leyden’s three in the corner, Lucas Kroll being huge in the middle against the 2-3-zone, Kasen with a couple shots, and Lance Sobaski doing what he does. Every guy was huge. You also don’t get back into a game without stops and we made just enough in the end. That is why you play a full 32 minutes.”

Patterson paced the offense with 21 points and Willis added 13. Fort Madison (3-4, 1-2) was led by Davis’ game-high 24 points. 

Washington improves to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in league play. They are off for the holiday break and will resume January 4th against Burlington.