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Sports

Colonials Cruise Past Washington-Lee

Jefferson earns first-year coach Mark Gray-Mendes win in first game

Thomas Jefferson High School began its season with a win, defeating Washington-Lee 59-49. Senior forward Daniel Barnes led the Colonials with 18 points. Richard Kuzma and Aaron Williams added 11 and 10 points, respectively, in what was a great all-around performance

The game began at a frenetic pace, as both teams clearly showed signs of early season jitters. A tightly contested first quarter was riddled with turnovers, as wayward passes we're batted all over the court. Rebounds resembled scrums, and scrappy play led to early foul trouble for the Colonials, forcing starting guards Kuzma and Brendan Corbett to the bench.

Once the teams settled in, it didn't take long for Jefferson's star players to take over. Barnes assumed the ball handling duties and began to assert himself on offense. After driving the lane for his first bucket, he stepped back the very next possession for a three.

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With Barnes dominating offensively, fellow senior Aaron Williams led the defensive effort. The 6-foot-3 wing used his quickness to get into passing lanes and his superior leaping ability to dominate around the rim. He ripped down double-digit rebounds to go with a game-high seven blocked shots.

"Aaron had a great defensive game." Jefferson Coach Mark Gray-Mendes said. "He was a force."

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As impressive as the dynamic duo's effort to start the game, it was the solid contributions of the substitutes that allowed Jefferson to extend its lead in the second quarter. Junior guard Sameer Singh came in and handled the pressure well, limiting turnovers, while getting a few steals of his own. Junior center Burke Deutsch played huge in the post, ripping away tough rebounds and putting up six points.

Even with the key players getting off to great starts and the bench playing well, a dozen first-half turnovers allowed Washington-Lee to go in at the half trailing only by eight.

Jefferson came out strong in the second half, extending its lead to double-digits with big baskets by Deutsch and Arjun Chavern.  Washington-Lee responded with their full-court press and refused to go away.

Guard Antoine Ingram and center Mohammed Jabbarra combined for ten quick points to cut the Colonial lead to 37-32 with 5:06 left in the third quarter.

Then Kuzma took over. The junior guard followed up a basket and the foul with a clutch midrange jumper, and the Colonials never looked back.

The highlight of the night came shortly thereafter, in the final seconds of the third quarter, when Barnes heaved the inbound pass the length of the court to a streaking Aaron Williams for the buzzer-beating lay-up. Even Gray-Mendes hustled over and applauded the effort.

Jefferson played most of the fourth quarter in an extended 2-3 zone to protect the lead, and actually was able to use the height and active hands of their post players to create an abundance of turnovers.

"We wanted to keep them off balance, and then look to score in transition," Gray-Mendes explained.

The Generals made a few pushes late, but Barnes and Kuzma added a couple big buckets and Jefferson shut the door, winning comfortably.

"I was really happy with the win," Gray-Mendes said. "They made a few runs, but we found the answer." Barnes added, "We played hard, it was great way to start the season."

Thomas Jefferson's next game is on Dec. 7 at Centerville.

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