Western boys continue to pull out close games
Most inexperienced basketball teams take time to mesh and learn how to finish games strong.
That hasn’t been the case for Western’s boys, who entered the season with a new coach and no returning letter winners.
Sophomore guard Kentrell Washington scored 34 points and fueled a fourth-quarter comeback as the visiting Warriors handed Spring Valley a 77-75 Southwest League loss Thursday.
Western (16-5, 11-2) improved to 9-1 in games decided by five or fewer points.
“These guys know how to play in close games,” coach Chip Nelson said. “When we go into the (fourth) quarter and we’re down one, we just say, 'Hey, great job. We know we’ll win because we’re close.’ ”
Washington scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including 8 of 10 free throws. He finished 14-for-18 at the line.
“Free throws, we’re shooting great down the line,” Nelson said. “We have a lot of confidence when we go into the fourth quarter.”
Washington made two three-point plays to highlight a 26-16 fourth-quarter run that gave Western a seven-point lead in the final minute.
“It’s a very big win,” Washington said.
Joseph Gerideau supplied 10 points and three steals for Western, and Kenyon Washington had 10 points and five rebounds.
The Warriors remained a game ahead of Desert Oasis for second place in the Southwest, which would mean hosting a first-round Sunset Region playoff game.
Corey Clement had 27 points and eight rebounds to carry Spring Valley (12-6, 7-5), which has lost three of its last four.
Justin Omogun contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, and Anton Stallworth added 10 points for the Grizzlies.
