Alexander makes clutch plays for John Marshall
John Marshall point guard DJ Alexander likes to be the quiet leader.
But the junior’s big plays in the clutch against a rival spoke loudly.
As John Marshall was trying maintain a slim 3-point lead against Douglass on Tuesday night, Alexander made several crucial plays down the stretch to help the Bears seal it.
Alexander sank four late free throws, intercepted a would-be assist for a steal on a Douglass fast break and out-hustled everyone for a loose ball to help secure one of the final John Marshall possessions to help give the Bears the 67-64 win.
“I try and be a leader from behind kinda,” Alexander said. “As a junior, I like the seniors to know they can count on me.”
Alexander finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists as No. 3-ranked John Marshall improved to 11-1 on the season.
The Bears got significant contributions from all of their starters as Xavier
Cyprian tied Alexander for team lead in points with 14.
Corey Coleman scored 13, and Patrick Garrett added 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.
“That’s exactly the way we want to be,” said John Marshall coach Patrick
Cudjoe. “We want to be very balanced so teams don’t know who to shut down.”
Estell Laster scored a game-high 21 points for Douglass while also collecting four rebounds, two steals and block.
John Marshall was able to keep the Trojans at bay and rebound after its first loss of the season over the weekend to Tuttle.
For Alexander, coming up big against a rival felt amazing.
“I have my role, and I know that I just want to do it to the best that I can,” Alexander said. “As a point guard on the team, I just have to be the leader on the floor and be the general.”
Winslow catches fire
Christian Heritage needed a spark, and Luke Winslow provided it.
Winslow scored 13 of his 15 points in the second quarter to lift No. 17 Christian Heritage to a 63-52 win over Jones.
CHA (9-4) led by seven at halftime but was able to extend the lead behind Winslow’s outburst, which included one 3-pointer. He did not score in the first half.
Senior Jase Farmer scored 16 for Jones (3-9).
Big night from Bronchos freshman
Freshman Michal
Wooldridge led the way for the Bethany Bronchos with 20 points as they beat Blanchard, 52-43. Bethany outscored Blanchard 39-22 in the second half to improve to 10-3 on the season.
Edmundson goes off
Centennial guard Mountae Edmundson continues to fill it up.
The senior scored 34 points for Centennial as it blew out Capitol Hill, 73-48.