Washington’s Rally Falls Short to University City

Click to view image

If not for a slow start, things could have been different for Washington’s boys basketball contest Saturday against University City.

Playing in the GAC-Suburban Challenge at the Family Arena in St. Charles, the Blue Jays nearly overcame a 19-point deficit, but fell short in a 63-53 loss.

“From watching University City at the Borgia Tournament, we knew what kind of style they played and we knew that style of pressuring the basketball gave us fits against Soldan,” said Washington Head Coach Chip Sodemann. “I was disappointed with our slow start. We were pretty timid. We gave them points with our inability to handle the basketball.”

University City (6-2) jumped on Washington early by forcing turnovers with their defensive pressure and getting easy baskets.

The Lions, who finished second to McCluer North at the Borgia Turkey Tournament, opened leads of 15-5 four minutes into the game and 24-7 after one quarter.

Washington (5-4 following Tuesday's loss at Vianney ) weathered the storm a bit in the second quarter.

Both teams scored 12 points in the second period, giving University City a 36-19 halftime advantage.

“The day before the game at practice, we played five on six to simulate what we were going to see,” Sodemann said. “We got better looks against six defenders at practice than we did in the first half.”

Things turned in Washington’s favor during the second half.

The Blue Jays did a better job handling University’s pressure, which resulted in some good looks at the basket.

“We didn’t make a bunch of adjustments at halftime,” Sodemann said. “I told the guys that we had to be strong with the ball, make good passes and try to attack the basket. That’s the best way to beat pressure.”

Trailing 41-22, Washington went on a 12-3 run over the final three minutes of the third quarter to cut its deficit to 44-34.

Ronnie Suggs got things going with a three-pointer. Nathan Monzyk and Jordan Stapp followed with baskets.

Suggs added four points in the final 40 seconds of the third quarter, including a layup at the buzzer.

Washington kept its momentum alive in the fourth quarter. The Blue Jays opened the period with an 8-0 run over the first 2:08 to trim the lead to 44-42.

Suggs scored four more points and Stapp drilled a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter.

All and all, Washington got back in the game with a 20-3 run over a span of five minutes late in the third quarter and early into the fourth.

University City’s lead was 46-44 with 4:25 remaining in the game, but the Blue Jays got no closer.

Travon Williams scored four points, two coming on a breakaway dunk, to help the Lions keep the advantage for good.

Washington made the score 50-46 with 3:12 remaining and 52-48 with 2:41 to play, but could never pull even.

Suggs paced the Blue Jays with 14 points, shooting 5-8 from the field.

“Ronnie played confident and aggressive,” Sodemann said. “He’s definitely getting serious consideration to being in the starting lineup.”

Stapp added 11 points, three three-pointers, and six assists.

Luke Schroepfer collected nine points, five rebounds and three assists.

Jared Walde added six points and nine rebounds.

Max Bigford registered five points and two assists.

Matt McCarthy and Monzyk both scored four points. Monzyk added four rebounds. Michael Luechtefeld also played.

Demond Tillman led University City with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Williams added 12 points and five assists while battling foul trouble. Maurice Washington scored 10 points.

“A loss can be a good thing if we can learn from it,” Sodemann said. “We have to do a better job handling the ball. We can’t hand teams easy baskets. I was disappointed with our start. We looked like we were shell-shocked.”

Washington lost its final game before the holiday break Tuesday at Vianney, 65-43.

The Blue Jays return to action Friday, Jan. 7, at home against Ft. Zumwalt East for its GAC North opener.