Blue Lions roll over Astros, 76-48

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The Washington Blue Lions returned home after an SCOL win at Chillicothe Friday for another SCOL match-up, this time with the East Clinton Astros.

Consistent throughout, Washington scored 26 points in the final quarter to post a 76-48 victory.

The Blue Lions are now 3-2 overall, 2-1 in the SCOL.

East Clinton falls to 2-3 overall, 0-3 in the SCOL.

Senior Max Knisley led a trio in double figures for the Blue Lions, and paced the game, with 26 points.

Senior Cameron Eckles scored 14 points and junior Jarett Patton had 10 points.

Sophomore Wyatt Floyd led the Astros with 19 points.

Senior Brian Barnes scored eight and senior Griffin Campbell added six points.

“We haven’t always finished well so far this season,” Washington head coach Shannon Bartruff said. “We finished pretty well against Chillicothe Friday, holding them to 12 points in the second half, but, offensively, we weren’t very good.

“Offensively tonight, we were a little bit better,” Bartruff said. “We started executing a little better in the second half. In the first half, we kind of fell in love with threes at times, because they were going in.

“After a time, we started settling for those shots because we were getting them,” Bartruff said. “We did a great job in transition tonight. Our kids did a great job of winning those races and sprinting out in transition.

“In the second half, when we didn’t have those looks, I felt like we did a better job of executing in the half court,” Bartuff said.

“I’m disappointed in our giving up 76 points,” East Clinton head coach Tony Berlin said. “That’s way too many, even though Knisley had 26. We try to take pride in our defense, but we haven’t done a good job with that this year.

“I’m a first-year coach,” Berlin said. “And, the team is still adapting to my philosophy. We were in the Miami Trace game and the Hillsboro game.

“Washington Court House is a very well-coached team,” Berlin said. “I have a lot of respect for Shannon. His kids play hard for him and they play for four quarters.

“My kids play hard for me, too,” Berlin said. “But, Shannon’s been (the head coach) for a while. His program’s developed and you can see the result (tonight).”

Washington took an early 7-1 lead on the way to winning the first quarter, 17-13.

East Clinton, unofficially making 14 of 44 field goal attempts in the game for 32 percent, had their lowest offensive output of the game in the second quarter, sinking 2 of 9 shots from the floor on the way to scoring eight points.

The Blue Lions, again unofficially, made 30 of 56 shot attempts in the game for 54 percent.

Washington was 6 of 15 from the field in the second quarter, scoring 18 points to take a 35-21 halftime lead.

The Astros had their best quarter of the game in the third, scoring 12 points to 15 for Washington.

East Clinton pulled to within as close as 11 points on a three-point goal by Campbell with just over three minutes to play in the third.

Washington outscored East Clinton 9-3 in the final three minutes of the period to take a 50-33 lead after three quarters.

Washington saved its best production on offense for the fourth quarter, scoring 26 points as eight different players chimed in with contributions.

The fourth quarter saw the Blue Lions empty their bench, giving valuable minutes of varsity experience to four players, including freshman Evan Upthegrove, who sank his first varsity game bucket, a three-pointer.

Freshman Richard Burns Jr., and senior Jacob Knisley both got into the game and both scored a basket in the fourth quarter.

Senior Ryan Flora played in the fourth quarter and junior Brian Wilson saw three quarters of action, as well.

Washington will be back in action Friday at McClain High School, taking on the Tigers with the j-v game commencing at 6 p.m.

McClain lost to Chillicothe Tuesday in SCOL play, 61-39.

East Clinton plays Wilmington Friday evening.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

W 17 18 15 26 — 76

EC 13 8 12 15 — 48

WASHINGTON — Max Knisley 7 (1)-9-26; Jarett Patton 2 (2)-0-10; Evan Upthegrove 0 (1)-0-3; Kory Proby 4-0-8; Ryan Flora 0-0-0; C.J. Taylor 2-0-4; Kenny Upthegrove 1-0-2; Griffin Shaw 2-0-4; Cameron Eckles 6-2-14; Richard Burns Jr. 1-0-2; Brian Wilson 0-0-0; Jacob Knisley 1-1-3. TOTALS 26 (4)-12-76. Free throw shooting: 12 of 17 for 71 percent. Three-point field goals: Patton, 2; Knisley, E. Upthegrove. Field goal shooting: 30 of 56 for 54 percent. Turnovers: 12.

EAST CLINTON — Cole Jenkins 1-1-3; Griffin Campbell 1 (1)-1-6; T.J. McCarren 0-1-1; Johnny Blair 1-0-2; Austin Mercer 0-0-0; Josh Moskal 0-1-1; Brian Barnes 3-2-8; Wyatt Floyd 5-9-19; Paul Luttrell 1 (1)-0-5; D.J. Luttrell 0-0-0; Griffin Irvin 0-0-0; Lance Vadnais 0-3-3. TOTALS — 12 (2)-18-48. Free throw shooting: 18 of 29 for 62 percent. Three-point field goals: Campbell, P. Luttrell. Field goal shooting: 14 of 44 for 32 percent. Turnovers: 16.

Blue Lion j-v team improves to 4-0

In the j-v game Tuesday, Washington improved to 4-0 overall, 3-0 in the SCOL, with a 50-19 win over East Clinton.

Washington had 11 different players score, led by the trio of Dillon Steward, Richard Burns, Jr., and Blaise Tayese, each with eight points.

Cameron Conner led the Astros with five points.

Washington Blue Lion junior Kenny Upthegrove (11) is guarded by East Clinton sophomore Wyatt Floyd during an SCOL game at Washington High School Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2015/12/web1_KennyUpthegrovevsEClinton1282015.jpgWashington Blue Lion junior Kenny Upthegrove (11) is guarded by East Clinton sophomore Wyatt Floyd during an SCOL game at Washington High School Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015.

By Chris Hoppes

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Reach Chris Hoppes at 740-335-3611, ext. 1104, or on Twitter @choppes1

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