Jan 18, 2017 4 min read

MONESSEN – The Washington High School boys basketball team went to Monessen and picked up an 82-68 exhibition win Wednesday night in a game that featured two top teams from their respective classes.

The win extended Washington’s winning streak to eight games.

“What a game this was, as it was a nice display of talent,” said Washington coach Ron Faust. “I told the team before the game that there wasn’t going to be a whole lot of strategy.

“I am happy with our effort and have been for 14 games now.”

Despite the loss, Monessen coach Joe Salvino was happy with what he saw early from his team, which trailed 46-42 at halftime.

“We played well in the first half and it was a good game,” he said. “I was worried coming in about how the game (Tuesday against Clairton) was going to hurt our legs, and for the most part I don’t think it did until the second half.”

Monessen won at Clairton in another up-tempo contest Tuesday.

The first half against the Prexies was a shootout. The score was tied 21-21 after the first quarter as the teams combined for 15 turnovers and the game resembled a track meet.

With Monessen leading 6-4, Washington went on a 15-6 run to take a 19-12 lead, but the Greyhounds closed the quarter on a 9-2 spurt to tie the game.

In the quarter, Jacob Swartz (10) and Matt Popeck (eight) combined for 18 points to pace Washington (11-3 overall) while Jaden Altomore (10) and Justice Rice (six) looked best for Monessen (8-5).

After Popeck opened the scoring in the second quarter with a jumper, Tariq Wilson hit a shot to give Washington a 25-21 lead.

Wilson’s basket would begin a run of the teams exchanging 15 consecutive baskets.

The streak ended with Ronnie Paith and Isaiah Robinson making consecutive shots for Washington, and the Little Prexies closed the half on an 8-3 run to take a 46-42 lead into the intermission.

In the quarter, Monessen made four three-pointers with Cory Fleming hitting two of his game-high five shots from behind the arc while Popeck scored 11 points for Washington.

Monessen ran out of steam in the second half as it could only muster seven baskets.

“I didn’t realize that and they are a very talented team,” said Faust. “It is always fun to play in a game like this. I am happy with our defense, for the most part.”

Did Salvino think it was his team was simply missing shots or did the Washington defense caused all those missed shots?

“It was a little bit of both,” Salvino said. “We had to work a little bit harder for our shots and I don’t think we were patient enough and we panicked.”

After Fleming hit a three-pointer to open the second half scoring, Washington went on a 7-0 run to take a 53-45 lead.

Monessen countered with an 8-2 run to trim its deficit to 55-53, but Popeck scored six points in the final 40 seconds of the quarter to give the Little Prexies a 63-56 lead heading into the fourth.

Fleming hit a three-pointer with 5:18 to play to cut the Washington lead to 67-62, but the Greyhounds would not have another basket until Fleming made a three-pointer with 26 seconds left.

Popeck led all scorers with 35 points while Swartz, with 23, and Robinson, with 12, also were in double figures for Washington.

“(Popeck) is the key to games for us and his scoring is big,” Faust said. “But he needs to understand that in close games, the ball has to be in his hands and sometimes he is a little too unselfish. We will work on that. He is a terrific player and works hard.”

Monessen was paced by Rice with 22 points. Fleming had 17 points and Altomore 16.

Salvino spoke highly of Washington.

“Wash High is a good team,” he said “They don’t make a lot of mistakes.”

Monessen had 23 turnovers while the Little Prexies had 20.