Jefferson 53, Grant 48: Top Performers

<p>In the latest installment of what is arguably the biggest 6A rivalry in the state, Grant hung close for most of the game but Jefferson ended up pulling out a 53-48 win on Friday night.</p> <p>Similar to the first time these teams played this season, Grant used a spread-it-out, patient offensive strategy to pull Jefferson's big guys away from the basket while looking to attack when given the opportunity. This helped keep the Generals close for the first half as the Democrats weren't able to pull away and only led 25-23 at the break.</p> <p>Jefferson came out of the gates strong as <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lamar-washington/">Lamar Washington</a> converted a four-point play followed by a three-point play and the Demos looked as if they would run away with things. But Grant responded behind some key plays of their own but in the end, Jefferson's size inside wore down the Generals, who weren't able to keep up in the very end.</p> <p>"It was a very sloppy game but we're definitely very happy to come out with the 'W'," said Jefferson head coach Pat Strickland. "But we definitely need to start getting better, plan better, and start playing some playoff basketball."</p> <p>Top Performers</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lamar-washington/">Lamar Washington</a> (2022 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 21 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl, 8-15 fg, 3-6 3pt</p> <p>Washington was our pick for player of the game and it was arguably his best all-around performance of the season thus far. Other than a string of misses in the second half, he shot the ball the best all year, especially from three-point range which has been a struggle for him as of late. He was very effective on the boards and particularly on defense - Washington has very quick hands and great anticipation skills that helps him garner steals and create turnovers in bunches. It's very much that kind of perimeter defense that Jefferson seemed to lack last season.</p> <p><strong>Kam Robinson (2021 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 16 pts, 10 reb, 7-13 fg</p> <p>Robinson seems to have adjusted to his role coming off of the bench and has been providing instant offense. The 6-foot-9 post was near unstoppable around the basket and when he's positioned outside, he's capable of attacking and gliding to the hoop for the finish. Robinson was active on the glass on both ends and seemed to play with a good amount of controlled intensity.</p> <p><strong>Nate Rawlins-Kibonge (2021 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 8 pts, 12 reb, 7 blk</p> <p>It might not have been the offensive explosion that he had in the previous game (30 ppg) but Rawlins-Kibonge makes the most impact with the way he dominates the boards and on defense. The points will come and go but what the 6-foot-7 post brings to the table each and every night is his ability to erase shots. The Generals had very few easy buckets around the basket ad Rawlins-Kibonge challenged everything down low and did so without getting into foul trouble.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/emanuel-steward/">Emanuel Steward</a> (2020 Grant)</strong> - Stats: 14 pts, 4 reb</p> <p>After missing some action due to a finger injury, Steward was back to play against Jefferson and for the most part seemed unaffected. While the shooting percentage wasn't sizzling by any means (he ended up 5-for-15 from the field), the 6-foot-2 guard was able to create off the dribble and utilize his athleticism on a couple of buckets to help keep Grant within striking distance.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-von-arx/">Max von Arx</a> (2022 Grant)</strong> - Stats: 10 pts, 5 reb</p> <p>There were a couple of missed layups, but overall von Arx had a solid outing for the Generals. The 6-foot-4 forward made a couple of key buckets in the game including a run of eight points in the third quarter that helped keep Grant in the ball game. Of those baskets of note was a corner three that he nailed, showing that he has some range on his jumper.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-winkler/">Luke Winkler</a> (2021 Grant)</strong> - Stats: 5 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast</p> <p>Winkler was the only player who got off the bench for Grant and if we had kept track of +/- there's no question it would have been a high value in the positive when he was in there. The 6-foot junior was a steady ball-handler who made some good decisions with the ball and was very efficient with his own offense, knocking down a three and getting another key bucket in the second half.</p> <p><strong>Dondre Fair (2021 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 3 pts, 4 reb</p> <p>The only guard off of the bench for Jefferson as <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trejon-williams/">Trejon Williams</a> recovers from illness, Fair did a credible job. The 5-foot-11 junior converted a big three-point play at the end of the third to help propel Jefferson to a five-point lead and really helped out on the boards with two rebounds in each half.</p>