The Washington girls basketball team earned decisive wins over Marlow and Pauls Valley last week as they head into the Rocky Clarke Invitational Washington Tournament.

Their 67-19 win over Marlow was propelled by a strong defensive performance.

The Warriors only allowed four points in the first half of the game and shut out Marlow in the first quarter.

Washington had balanced scoring on the other end of the floor with Bentli Brantley (13), Jayden Wells (10) and Kelby Beller (10) all in double figures.

They finished the first quarter with a 19-0 lead.

Head coach Kale Simon was pleased with his team’s performance.

“Our focus right now is on our habits,” he said. “We had habits in that game that made us better on both ends of the floor.”

Pauls Valley

Washington’s 80-50 win against Pauls Valley wasn’t as polished as Simon would like to see.

“We weren’t intentional on defense in the third quarter,” he said. “We chose not to get done what we needed to and we reaped what we sowed.”

Washington gave up 21 points in the third quarter after only allowing 17 points in the entire first half.

Washington was quite effective on the offensive end of the floor.

Washington had six different players in double figures on offense.

Eternity Self’s 16 points led the team.

Joining her were Brantley (11), Aubri Clary (11), Wells (10), Kelby Beller (10) and Hadley Beard (10).

Simon said he likes where his team is at this point of the season, though he believes there is still room for growth.

“We’re honing in on each individual doing her job,” he said. “I want them to be all-starring and MVPing in their individual role. We know what our job and our role is now and we will ruthlessly and machine-like work to be the best at it.”

The Warriors, now 12-1, were scheduled to play Bridge Creek on Tuesday before opening the tournament against Casady.

“I’m really excited for the tournament,” Simon said. “It will be a good one.”

Boys

The Washington boys team picked up two wins and are playing some of their best basketball of the season after taking the consolation championship in the Ripley tournament.

“We’re feeling better about ourselves after the consolation win,” head coach Trevor Smith said. “Marlow is always a rivalry game.”

Washington took it right to the Outlaws and led 12-2 after the first quarter.

“We played really well from the tip,” Smith said

They ended the game with an 18-point fourth quarter and won the game 56-42.

They cut our lead to four points in the third quarter but our response to their run was really good,” Smith said. “Our response was telling of where we are as a team right now. Our defensive intensity and rebounding won that game.”

Cole Beard went off for 23 points and led the Warriors in scoring.

Jack McKimmey had 18.

Pauls Valley

Washington defeated Pauls Valley 60-57 on Friday.

“We jumped out on them pretty good in the first quarter,” Smith said.

The Warriors led 18-9 after the first quarter but had a disastrous end to the half.

“We were up 16 points and they scored 12 points on four possessions,” Smith said. “We went from being up 16 to only up four points to end the half. Pauls Valley had all the momentum going into halftime.”

Washington was outscored 14-9 in the third quarter but kept fighting.

“Our guys stayed resilient,” Smith said. “We found a way to win and stayed the course. We have lost games like that one this year and it was nice to be on the right side of it for this one.”

McKimmey led the team with 24 points, followed by Beard with 20.

Jax Mitchell finished the night with 12 points.

“Ever since the Ripley tournament Beard and McKimmey have taken a leap ahead offensively,” Smith said. “And Jax is playing really well and scoring in different ways.”

Washington is 5-8 and open the tournament with Sulphur.