Golden Eagles make state for 1st time

— It’s no secret who’s been on the back of Washington’s mind all season.

The Golden Eagles’ historic 2021-22 season came to a crushing end at the hands of Silsbee.

Washington found its answer this time around in the Region III-4A championship Saturday afternoon at Bryan High School.

The Golden Eagles built a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal as three players scored in double figures, including Kenneth Lewis and Chris McDermott who each scored 21 points, and Washington advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history with a 78-70 victory over Silsbee.

Washington (28-7), No. 4 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ 6A state rankings, will compete in the state semifinals at 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. next Friday at the Alamodome. The pairings will be announced by the UIL tomorrow.

“Incredible,” Washington coach Vincent Grayson. “We remember how bad it hurt last year and we just wanted to get back and have another chance at playing them.”

Silsbee outscored Washington 7-4 to begin the fourth quarter, getting it within 60-53 before Washington scored six of the next eight points, capped by Andre Walker’s alleyoop layup to Lewis for a 6655 lead. Baskets by Jamarion Elam, Dre’Lon Miller, and LaMarcus Bottley Jr. got Silsbee within 68-62 before McDermott scored six points, including a reverse dunk, that made it 76-67.

“They responded well, they stayed focused, they stayed together and they kept playing hard,” Grayson said.

Washington, co-District 21-4A champions, fell short of reaching the state tournament last year after suffering an 80-74 loss against Silsbee. The Golden Eagles returned to the regional tournament for the third time in program history and embarked on their deepest playoff run ever.

Senior guard Walker has been dreaming of reaching the state tournaBRYAN ment since he was little.

“Seeing all the people happy that we won, it’s just crazy,” Walker said. “When we play as a team, ain’t nobody that can beat us. … This year, we kept our cool and showed our experience.”

Silsbee (26-13), unbeaten District 19-4A champions and No. 3 in the state, fell short of reaching the state tournament for the first time since 2021-22. The Tigers, who won back-toback state titles from 201618, competed in their eighth regional final since 2014-15.

Ashton Cartwright’s 3pointer at the buzzer gave Silsbee a 22-19 lead after a quarter of play. Bottley and Walker each had seven points.

A 7-0 run late in the second quarter helped Washentire ington lead 39-35 at the half. McDermott scored six of those points and finished with eight points in the quarter followed by Lewis’ six points.

“We were in the same position last year, we were leading at halftime,” Grayson said. “I said, ‘We got to keep the intensity, keep the intensity up.’”

Washington scored eight of the first 10 points in the third quarter to lead 4737. Silsbee responded with a 6-0 run before the Golden Eagles scored nine of the last 12 points to keep it a 10point game, 56-46.

Senior guard Lewis was looking forward to this game. Unlike last year when the Golden Eagles surrendered their lead in the third quarter, he said the squad was locked in the

second half.

“I feel like we’re going to carry this momentum to state in San Antonio,” Lewis said. “Two more to go.”

Walker was the thirdleading scorer for Washington with 20 points and Odis Carter Jr. added 14 points. Four Silsbee players finished in double figures. Miller scored 20 points, Jared Harris and Bottley each had 13 points and Elam added 10 points. The Tigers converted eight 3-pointers to the Golden Eagles’ three.

“We feel good,” Grayson said. “We think we’re just as good as anybody in the state of Texas.”