Washington Erupts as Edgewater Downs DeMatha
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Despite blowing a large early lead, Edgewater H.S. recovered for a 72-60 victory over DeMatha Catholic H.S. on Sunday night at the 2nd Annual Basketball Hall of Fame H.S. Invitational.
Edgewater raced to a 17-2 lead out of the gate, but found itself down 32-28 at the half after going the final 7:17 of the half without a point.
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Darius Washington, Edgewater's 6-0 junior scoring phenom, didn't disappoint, erupting for 26 of his game high 37 points in the second half as he helped the Eagles easily erase the four point halftime deficit.
With Edgewater clinging to a 45-44 lead midway through the second half, Washington keyed a 15-2 run that swung the game into the Eagles' favor.
Included in the decisive run was a tremendous follow slam by Washington that seemed to ignite the entire Edgewater team. When Washington scored minutes later at the end of a fast break, the Eagles held a 60-46 lead with 4:01 remaining.
Washington finished the game by shooting 10 of 21 from the floor, including six of 12 from beyond the three point arc. He also canned 11 of 12 free throws, many late in the second half as the Stags tried in vain to climb back into the contest.
Guard Demetrius Scott was the only other Eagle player to hit for double figures. He finished with 11 points. Brandon Johnson tallied eight assists for Edgewater despite suffering through a two for nine shooting night.
Germaine Green (above right) paced DeMatha with 12 points, and Penn bound Steve Danley added 10. The Stags turned the ball over 26 times, many coming during the decisive second half run by Edgewater.
The Eagles' victory moved them to the title game of the USA Bracket at the HOF Invitational, where they will square off against Archbishop Molloy in a 4:30 p.m. contest.
DeMatha will face Roanoke Catholic in the USA bracket consolation (3rd place) game at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.