xavier-at-rim
Epsicopal's Xavier Johnson (25 points) attacks the rim as Flint Hill's Dowar Jioklaw goes for the block. Johnson was huge late.

Johnson leads #8 Episcopal past Flint Hill

Down 46-42 early in the fourth quarter, Episcopal took a time out. The Maroon had led most of the game over Flint Hill but had been out-played to that point in the second half. Then Episcopal junior guard Xavier Johnson decided to take over.

Johnson was instrumental in his team’s 11-1 run after the time out, hitting a three-pointer and burying free throw after free throw on his way to a game-high 25 points. His efforts led Episcopal to a 59-52 victory.

“He’s really turned into a terrific player,” Maroon coach Jim Fitzpatrick said of Johnson. “And he needs to be the guy that makes us go–he’s our point guard, he’s our leader and he’s our captain.”

While Johnson didn’t get any assists on the night, he was successful at facilitating the offense and getting the ball around the tall Huskies whenever they tried to trap. He controlled the ball despite Flint Hill’s aggressive defense, absorbing fouls and getting to the line instead of turning it over. Johnson’s ability to attack the rim and handle the ball helped him get to the line 14 times on the evening. He made 12 of those attempts, accounting for almost half his points.

Most of his points came in the second half. Episcopal led by four at halftime, but Flint Hill came back in the third quarter on the strength of its defense, plus Qudus Wahab (14 points, nine rebounds) and Nick Stern. Wahab, a 6’10” junior center, made a concerted effort to demand the ball down low and to protect the rim better on defense. Stern, a 6’1″ senior guard, drained three three-pointers to help space the floor. It all resulted in the 46-42 Flint Hill lead.

And then the Xavier Johnson show, although he of course had help. Senior forward Zach Pfaffenberger added eight points and dished out three assists. Fitzpatrick credited him for doing a great job on defense and helping to limit Wahab inside. Tall sophomore guard-forward Tymu Chenery also chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds. The boards were especially critical against Wahab and the tall Huskies front line.

Episcopal's Zach P
Episcopal’s Zach Pfaffenberger takes the shot over Flint Hill’s Qudus Wahab.

“The idea in the fourth quarter was turning up the defense,” Fitzpatrick said. “The big kid for them [Wahab] really started hurting us inside so we went to a sort of zone to pack the middle in. Zach gave him trouble when he started playing good fundamental defense and he did that in the first quarter and the fourth quarter.”

Flint Hill (2-3) got a nice game from Dowar Jioklaw off the bench. The sophomore forward had 10 points and gave the Huskies a lift energy-wise when he entered the game. The bench played well in general for the visitors, providing almost half the team’s scoring output. It still wasn’t enough on this night for coach Rico Reed’s team, but the Huskies will get another chance against a tough opponent when they host Bishop Ireton on Saturday.

Meanwhile, so far so good for the Maroon (5-0), who won the Sleepy Thompson Tournament earlier this year and continue to gut out tough wins against quality opponents. Fitzpatrick believes his team is capable of a special season.

“I think we can be really good if we can just maintain our focus,” he said after the game. “That time out tonight helped us regain our focus.”

–Chris Jollay

all stats are unofficial

EPISCOPAL FG FT TP RB AST
STEELE 2-4 0-0 4 3 2
CHENERY 4-15 3-4 12 11 2
SHANNON 2-5 2-2 7 6 2
X.JOHNSON 6-11 12-14 25 4 0
ZACH PFAFF 4-7 0-0 8 3 3
D.JOHNSON 0-5 3-4 3 0 0
BISSOT 0-0 0-1 0 0 0
BOUNDS 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
TOTALS 18-47 20-25 59 27 9
Threes: Shannon 1-3, X. Johnson 1-4, Chenery 1-6, Steele 0-1, D. Johnson 0-1, Pfaffenberger 0-1
FLINT HILL FG FT TP RB AST
WAHAB 6-13 2-3 14 9 0
JONES 1-7 5-9 7 6 1
HERLIHY 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
TAYLOR 2-4 0-1 4 3 0
MOORE 1-11 2-2 4 4 3
Jioklow 3-8 3-4 10 3 0
#5 1-4 0-0 2 2 0
#12 3-5 0-0 9 0 1
#21 1-1 0-0 2 4 1
#4 0-0 0-0 0 1 0
TOTALS 18-53 12-19 52 32 6
Threes: Turner 3-5, Jioklow 1-2, Moore 0-6, Jones 0-1, Stern 0-1