Posted by the Hatchet Staff

All four basketball teams played their first home game of the new year on Friday night in the South Gym.

First up was the jv girls team. They were defeated by the Roughriders  33 – 22 .  Candy Cruz led the team with 11 points. “Our team works hard and they are improving everyday. They are really starting to come together as a team,” Coach Angel Larios said.

Next up was the jv boys team who had played Roosevelt twice already. The Panthers were victorious  38-29  .”It’s tough to beat anybody three times in a season and we were successful at that.  I am extremely proud of our team and the progress we have made so far this year. I know we will be ready on Wednesday (Panthers play Kerman at home),” Coach John Hetherington said. Leading the scoring for Washington was Martin Renteria (11) with 18 points and Deshawn Fletcher (10) with 10 points.

The varsity girls followed.  After trailing at half-time by 5, the Panthers closed to within 2 points of Roosevelt early in the third period but failed to close the gap and were defeated 58-48. Lexi Blue (11) led the team with 14 points and Latique Walton (10) added 11 for Washington. “We need to put together a complete game if we want to win. I am proud that we played hard and didn’t quit. We learned a lot from the loss, so that’s a good sign,” Coach Annie Taylor said.

Finally, it was the varsity boys turn. Washington took control early, leading 19-6 at the end of the first quarter and 35-18 at the half. The Panthers continued their domination of the Roughriders and never allowed them to get close. “We are getting better. We don’t rely on any one player. It is a different guy every game.” Coach Tony Petersen said. Jose Rivas led all scorers with 18 points. Deandre Dixon added 15 and Akili Arnold contributed 12 to lead the Panthers.