Both the Robinson and Centreville basketball teams are in the middle of a resurgence. Robinson came into its home game with the Wildcats atop the conference and riding high on a ten-game winning streak after losing its first four games of the season. Centreville’s resurgence, meanwhile, has spanned a couple of years. Coach Kevin Harris is in year two of a rebuilding project there and things seem to coming along well–very well, to say the least. Tuesday night his surprising Wildcats moved into a tie atop the conference with a 46-45 win on the Rams’ home floor.
The improvement in Centreville’s program has been noticeable this year, but not many expected the Wildcats to be ready to cool off the red-hot Rams. That they did, however, mainly on the strength of sophomore guard Bryce Douglas’ 21-point performance. Douglas, a transfer who played on the Bishop Ireton JV last year, was nothing short of outstanding. He scored a game-high 21 points and made the go-ahead bucket with 13.7 seconds left, most impressively right after two misses late in the quarter. A lot of young players aren’t ready to do the heavy lifting when it really matters, but it was easily apparent Douglas is. Coach Harris wanted the ball in his young star’s hands late and Douglas was eager to receive it.
“Bryce Douglas is a heck of a player,” Harris said after the game. “He’s our offensive leader but he also made some good plays on defense when we needed it. Late game he’s clutch–earlier in the season against Lake Braddock as well–he’s our last-second guy.”
It was far from an easy win, however. The Rams (3-1, 10-5) led virtually the entire way after the first quarter, leading by four points with about five minutes left. The Wildcats (3-1, 10-6) then embarked on a 5-0 run capped off when senior guard Marcus Mack (four assists) found junior forward Caleb Emeogo (12 points) in the post for a bucket to make it 39-38. While a 5-0 run may not be a huge deal in most games, it certainly was in this low-scoring affair. After the teams then traded baskets it even seemed like the Wildcats might decide to stall with just under three minutes left.
The Wildcats did run some clock, but it was not their intention to play passively down the stretch. Douglas took the ball to the hole and made a tough lay-up while getting fouled. After he drained the free throw it was 44-40 Wildcats. It seemed like that might be enough, but then Rams three-point specialist Luke Ferguson (13 points) calmly drained a three off a pass from senior swingman Kaleb Hailu to cut the lead to one. Douglas attacked the rim again but this time missed, with Rams junior center Anthony Douglas pulling down the rebound. Hailu, who had an outstanding all-around game with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists, then scored to put the Rams up one.
By now it was no mystery the Wildcats would again attack with their sophomore guard. But Bryce missed again and the Rams collected the rebound. The Wildcats then fouled Ferguson, who missed the front end of a one-and-one with 32 seconds left. This time Bryce Douglas did not fail to convert, attacking the rim and scoring the go-ahead basket soon after.
With plenty of time left the Rams went to their Douglas in the post–6’7″ Anthony. Douglas, who was on the JV last year, has been great this season on the big stage, averaging about 12 points a game. While he had 13 on the night he’ll no doubt remember the opportunity he failed to convert at the end of this game, however. The Rams got him a point-blank look at the hoop and a shot he’s hit countless times, but this one just didn’t fall. Video is below.
“Time kind of stood still there,” Harris said. “Kid [Anthony Douglas] knocked down that shot don’t know how many times this game right on the block. We had been doubling him the whole game; that possession we decided to let our kid go one-on-one with him and fortunately for us it rolled off the rim.”
Robinson coach Travis Hess was quick to point out the loss was hardly on just one player.
“We had a three or four minute stretch that cost us the game,” he said. “We broke their pressure but didn’t do the things that are characteristic of us for running great offense–we just took the first shots that came along. We also gave them some ‘and-one’ three-pointers. A couple calls didn’t go our way but that’s the way it always goes. For all of that we did have a lay-up look at the end–we just missed it.”
The imposing Douglas and the talented Rams will no doubt bounce back, but they may be hard-pressed to run off another winning streak anywhere close to ten games. That’s because of their challenging conference but also because of the loss of senior Tyler Jones. Jones apparently has broken his foot and his status for the rest of the season is in jeopardy. He’ll see a specialist this week and go from there.
“We miss Tyler,” Hess said. “We’ve got to figure out how to win without Tyler Jones and that’s my job. He’s our heart and soul, though.”
Robinson has too many weapons to not be a factor down the stretch even without Jones, however. The Rams are still probably trending up. But the Wildcats are definitely trending up, especially considering the limited success they’ve had in recent years. Robinson, once known almost purely for football, is now also known as a solid basketball program. Centreville, also with a formidable football program, may very well be headed in the same direction.
“I think just having another year together has helped,” said Harris. “We have a good group of seniors and they’re kind of buying into what we’re trying to do and showing the young guys the ropes. My expectations are high for them and they hold themselves accountable.”
And, while Harris felt good to taste a share of the conference lead, he’s well aware there’s a long way to go before the Wildcats can say they got to where they ultimately aspire to be.
“I told the guys to enjoy the win but we’ve got to focus on Oakton now. They’re a good team.”
–Chris Jollay
stats are unofficial
| CENTREVILLE | FG | FT | TP | RB | AST | |
| MACK | 1-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| GOLDAMMER | 0-4 | 0-0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| EMEOGO | 5-9 | 1-1 | 12 | 2 | 0 | |
| DOUGLAS | 8-18 | 4-4 | 21 | 3 | 3 | |
| LOHMAN | 3-9 | 0-0 | 9 | 3 | 0 | |
| Martin | 1-4 | 0-0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| O’Shea | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ghousheh | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 18-49 | 5-5 | 46 | 15 | 7 | |
| Threes: Lohman 3-7, Emeogo 1-3, Douglas 1-3, Martin 0-3, Ghousheh 0-1, Mack 0-1, Goldammer 0-1 | ||||||
| ROBINSON | FG | FT | TP | RB | AST | |
| HAILU | 6-8 | 0-0 | 12 | 9 | 4 | |
| EYOB | 0-4 | 0-0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| MILLER | 1-2 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| ROWSON | 1-5 | 1-2 | 3 | 6 | 0 | |
| DOUGLAS | 6-10 | 1-7 | 13 | 8 | 0 | |
| Oakley | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Ferguson | 4-6 | 1-2 | 13 | 2 | 0 | |
| Turner | 1-2 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hopkins | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 19-37 | 3-11 | 45 | 32 | 4 | |
| Threes: Ferguson 4-6, Rowson 0-3, Eyob 0-2 | ||||||
That’s my Nephew. Bryce Douglas keep doing what your Auntie taught you. Continue to put God first and you can do all things through HIM. Auntie loves you to the moon and back.