Boys Basketball: Washington’s inside presence too much for Lowell

Boys Basketball: Washington’s inside presence too much for Lowell
Saturday, January 22, 2011
By Ernest Stone

While Washington’s go-to scorers are clearly senior guards Jeremy Jetton and Brenden Glaipon, fellow seniors LeVander Moore and Galen Hall are beginning to lay claim as a dynamic duo in their own right.

While Moore and Hall combined for just eight points on Friday night at Kezar Pavilion, they combined for 30 rebounds and five blocks, dominating the interior and leading the Eagles to a 53-49 league win over rival Lowell in Academic Athletic Association play.


Washington senior forward LeVander Moor rises up for a contested shot in the lane against Lowell on Friday at Kezar Pavilion. (Photo by Devin Chen)
“Everybody on our team plays big and fast,” said Moore, who finished with seven points and 18 rebounds. “We are extremely athletic and it’s an identity we’ve had all year.”

Early on, Lowell’s (13-6, 5-1) execution of its motion offense neutralized the Eagles’ physical advantages.

Five Lowell players scored in the first half, while Glaipon shouldered most the load for the Eagles, with 10 of their 26 first-half points.

“I thought we matched up very well,” said Lowell head coach Robert Ray. “They have some talented players and we slowed them down. I mean, 53-49 is the type of score we would like to play to every time.”

Unfortunately for Ray’s squad, Moore and Hall’s ability to clean up the glass allowed Washington (13-8, 5-1) to capitalize on several second-chance opportunities. The multiple opportunities greatly benefited Jetton, who finished the game strong with 10 second-half points.

Although Lowell continued to counter Washington’s man-to-man offense with its balanced passing schemes, Cardinals senior Casey Chow managed to take over with three three-point shots in the third quarter to put Lowell ahead for the first time since the first frame.

But the additional threat of Kenneth Lui, who scored eight points off the Washington bench, along with the Eagles’ dominant rebounding, proved to be too much, as the Eagles built a lead that they would cling on to for the remainder of the third quarter and through the end of the game.

“As is what happens a lot of times, you expend all this energy to get back in the game, and once you are there, you take a step back,” Ray said. “Against Washington, you can’t take that step back, and we found that out tonight.”

Lowell’s loss to Washington is just its first defeat in AAA play this season.

With their four-point win following a 23-point blowout of Mission earlier this week, the Eagles have proven they can win in a variety of ways. Next week, Washington will look to register a complete effort against Galileo on the road.

“Our role players stepped up today, and that’s always a welcome sign,” said Washington head coach Jolinko Lassiter. “Our guys always do a great job of playing to their strengths, and I don’t see anything changing.”

Scoring Leaders

Washington
Jeremy Jetton – 16
Brenden Glapion – 14
Kenneth Lui – 8
LeVander Moore – 7
Austin Hedani – 3

Lowell
Casey Chow – 12
Jorell Cacatian – 10
Jackson Miao – 8
Ricco Price – 7
Avery Nicastro-Aikman – 4