The Patriots looked to start the season right with a win against Magruder. The team hosted the Colonels on Dec. 5. Missing four players, two out of four who are starters, the team needed the bench to step up. With junior Kevin Assiyi-Etoh, the top scorer out, the team could not afford more injuries.

The team was down by five in the first quarter but they were in good shape overall. The team began to struggle both offensively and defensively, allowing 28 points while only scoring 12 points in the second quarter. The score was 50-29 at halftime. The boys continued to struggle to score throughout the rest of the game, scoring 29 points in the second half. The defense improved by the fourth quarter only allowing 10 points. The boys lost 85-58 in their home opener. “It’s really hard not being able to play and knowing that I can help out the team,” senior guard Ryan Warshaw said.

Coming off a loss, the team hoped to win against Poolesville on Dec. 8. With junior Trey Wilson back in the lineup, the team only had three injured who that obviously were not able to play in this game. The Patriots took the lead in the first quarter and had the lead till half time. The boys lost their momentum in the third quarter, only scoring five points the third quarter, which gave the lead to Poolesville.

After struggling in the third quarter, junior True Johnson had an enormous dunk that changed the momentum of the game. Johnson then hit back to back threes, which gave the team their lead back and they never played from behind throughout the remainder of the game. The offense was fluid and the defense had key stops from the bench. The Patriots outscored Poolesville in the fourth quarter 18-14, which gave the boys the win 41-39. “It’s great being back playing with the team, and I hope that no injury will stop me from playing,” Wilson said.

The boys played their division rival Churchill on Dec. 15. The team had Warshaw back in the lineup to help the team. “I am happy to be back and hope that I can affect the team in a positive way,” Warshaw said.

This game was too late to be covered in this issue, as well as their game on Dec. 18, which was against Sherwood.

Eric Lee

Staff Writer