Jan 23, 2016 4 min read

Washington certainly saves its best for when it matters the most, at least with Ron Faust on the bench. For the second consecutive year, the Prexies have bounced back from a slow start to position itself as one of the best teams in Class AA.

Don’t believe in the trend?

Let’s take a look at the numbers. Since a Dec. 28 loss to Pine-Richland, Wash High (8-1, 11-5) is on an eight-game winning streak and is averaging more than 73 points per game during that span. Now, the Prexies are in contention for a section title and will be a team to watch entering the postseason.

It’s very familiar to last season, when Wash High lost back-to-back games during the winter break and responded with 11 consecutive wins. Last season ended with the dramatic loss to Neshannock, so the big question is can the Prexies make a playoff run?

I’m not Miss Cleo, but I will say that I left Brownsville Wednesday night incredibly impressed. Not only was the 25-point win over the Falcons a vast improvement from the last time I saw Wash High play, but it might have been the most complete game I’ve seen them play since Faust came back.

Sure, it’s easy to get excited about the play of Markel Pulliam and Matt Popeck, but it was the contributions of the role players that really stood out. Players such as Jordan Swart, Tariq Wilson, Isaiah Perry and Anthony Popeck played incredibly smart and within the system.

There were no forced shots and each pass was calculated. Each could play a bit more aggressive when defenders key on Pulliam and Popeck, but the hard part is over. Just weeks after the Prexies’ bench was thin, it is now deep and ready to step up late in games.

If you were to tell me that Nate Swart and Isaiah Robinson would not play in the fourth quarter against Brownsville, I would say Wash High would likely be in trouble, but this team seems to have finally figured out how good they can be.

Wash High gets a rematch with Bishop Canevin Feb. 1 and I’m still skeptical about the Prexies’ defense, but this team is certainly among the top five in Class AA.

How quickly can a team’s playoff hopes fade?

If you look at Section 4-AAAA, the answer is 11 days. Less than two weeks after it looked like a team destined to snap a playoff drought, Peters Township (5-5, 10-6) is now on the outside looking in.

The Indians have lost three consecutive section games and scored just 36 points in Friday night’s loss to Mt. Lebanon. I’d like to see the film on that one, but I find it hard to believe that they only scored 36 points.

I’d love to hear the theories. Now, Peters Township must win out in section play, which includes a home game against Chartiers Valley.

Section 5-AAA looked wide open at the beginning of the season. Graduation left most rosters thin, but I still picked South Fayette to win it. The Lions are certainly in the running, but the team I overlooked was the one that lost the least from last season.

Trinity (6-2, 8-6), which does not have a senior on the roster, is in second place and has a key rematch with South Fayette Monday. The Hillers have great guard play and can play tough defense.

The schedule is definitely beneficial and Trinity may be the most intriguing team in the area. Once its young players fully develop, including freshman guard Jaden Nelson, watch out.

The biggest obstacle will be how to stop top post players. The key for them against South Fayette will be stopping Ryhan Culberson. If that happens, Trinity is one of the teams to watch heading into the postseason.