Both of Washington’s basketball teams will play in the Area tournament this week

The girls team will play Anadarko at 6 p.m. on Friday in Madill.

The boys will play Dickson today (Thursday) at 7:30 p.m. in Madill.

The boys’ road through Regionals to Area was an adventure.

They opened the Regional tournament with a difficult 42-29 loss to Lindsay.

“We were up by two points going into the fourth quarter,” said head coach Trevor Smith. “We just went ice cold shooting in the fourth quarter.”

The Warriors were outscored 17-2 in the final period.

It was a four-point game before the Warriors began fouling to extend the game.

“The final score looked worse than it was,” Smith said.

Jax Mitchell led the team in scoring with eight points.

Cole Beard was just behind him with six points.

Hugo

The Warriors led the whole game in their next contest, a 42-39 win over Hugo.

Washington had an 11-point lead at halftime, but their coach thought they let their foot off the gas a little in the second half.

“I felt like we played a little not to lose in the second half and it got a little tight,” Smith said. “But we found a way to win.”

Beard led the charge in scoring with 20 points.

Jack McKimmey was also in double figures with 10 points.

Marlow

Washington punched their ticket to the Area tournament with a thrilling 52-51 win over Marlow in double overtime.

“Saturday was one of the top three games I’ve ever been a part of,” Smith said.

Marlow led a good part of the game in the fourth match up between the two teams this season.

“They know us so well and know what we do because we’ve played them so many times,” Smith said. “And they play great defense.”

The Warriors entered the fourth quarter down seven points.

And Washington started clawing back.

Jack McKimmey scored six of his 11 points in the final period of regulation.

“Again, I felt like whoever could make plays and have the ball in their hand last would win the game.” Smith said. “When we went to overtime, it was just back and forth, big plays for both sides. We were fighting so hard.”

After each team scored six points in the first overtime, it was more free basketball with a sixth quarter to decide the contest.

“We kept attacking; kept getting to the line,” Smith said. “Our heart and grit in that game is what we talk about for our program.”

Beard led the team in scoring with 15.

Jace Myers was also in double figures with 11 points.

“I’m super proud of the team and looking forward to playing some more,” Smith said. “We’ll try to get back to State (starting Thursday).”

Washington is 12-17 this season.

Girls

The girls had a bit of less chaotic road to the Area tournament after they lived in the winners side of the Regional bracket.

They beat Lindsay 77-9 in the first round of Regionals.

Once again, their defense was suffocating.

Lindsay didn’t score more than four points in any quarter and were held without a field goal in the fourth quarter.

Kelby Beller (17), Aubri Clary (13), Preslee Johnson (12) and Bentli Brantley (10)were all in double figures.

Kingston

The Warriors next played Kingston, the No. 15 team in Class 3A, winning 78-36.

Washington got off to a fast start and led 22-5 by the end of the first quarter.

Harper Johnson tied for the game-high scorer with 15 points. She hit three treys in the game.

Brantley (14) and Beard (12) were also in double figures.

Up next is Anadarko, 18-9 this season, and Class 3A’s No. 8 team.

Washington is 27-1 this season.