In an all-Alexandria showdown last Saturday afternoon, the Episcopal boy’s basketball team took down rival St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, 63-46, in IAC league play.
After an evenly played first half, the Maroon used a 13-4 run after halftime to open up a 12-point lead and never looked back. Senior Given Kalipinde led Episcopal with a double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds), while fellow senior Yao Sithole added in 15 points and seven rebounds.
In particular, Episcopal (12-6 overall, 6-3 IAC) dominated play down low, outrebounding the Saints by a 37-29 margin. The game was a make-up of a scheduled Jan. 27 contest that was postponed due to inclement weather. Each team played the day prior, Friday, with the Saints defeating St. Alban’s and Episcopal losing to Georgetown Prep.
“We knew we had to come out and play very aggressive, play very tough, and whether or not shots were falling, we wanted to make sure we got good shots,” said Episcopal coach Jim Fitzpatrick.
Juniors Jack Hamilton (11 points, nine rebounds) and Richard Pastorino (13 points) paced St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes (8-13, 3-6), which also lost to Landon Tuesday night.
“You want to be playing better at the end of the year than at the beginning and right now I think we’re playing better basketball, we just didn’t play well [Saturday],” said SSSAS coach Kevin McClinton. “If we do a better job on the boards I think we’ll be all right.”
Both teams will renew acquaintances again this Friday night at St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes when they face each other to close out the regular season. The IAC tournament begins next Tuesday.
<b>TC Basketball Update</b>
The T.C. Williams boy’s basketball team continued its run through the Patriot District, defeating Lake Braddock Tuesday night, 64-44. The Titans have not lost a district game in more than four years and can clinch their fourth-consecutive regular-season district title by beating Hayfield Friday night.
Leading T.C. Williams against the Bruins was senior guard Edward Jenkins, who had a game-high 27 points. Versatile forward Ryan Yates also chipped in with a double-double of 10 points and 10 assists.
The game Friday against Hayfield will take place at T.C. Williams and should be one of the most exciting match-ups of the year based on the two teams’ prior meeting this season. It took overtime for the Titans to squeak by Hayfield, 71-66, back on Jan. 21.
T.C. Williams (19-2 overall, 12-0 Patriot District) begins district tournament play next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Lady Titans have been almost, if not more, impressive than their male counterparts. With its own 60-42 victory over Lake Braddock Tuesday, the T.C. Williams girl’s basketball team has now won 13 straight games and clinched the Patriot District regular-season title in the process.
The Lady Titans (17-4 overall, 13-0 Patriot District) also begin the district playoffs next Tuesday.
<b>TC Wrestling Recap</b>
The Patriot District wrestling tournament was held this weekend and the team from T.C. Williams was well represented on the winners’ podium. Leading the charge was Omar Maknassi, who picked up the district title in the 112-pound weight class. Maknassi defeated Nathan Coburn of Hayfield, 8-6, in the finals.
Senior Alex Gomez (145 pounds) picked up second-place honors, while senior Brian Edwards (3rd place 125 pounds), Jose Flores (3rd, 171 pounds), and Conor Boyle (4th place 135 pounds) all also qualified for this weekend’s regional tournament, which will be held at Fairfax High School.