The Cedar Rapids Washington boys basketball team could finally laugh a little Friday night and enjoy themselves.

The Warriors belted Jefferson, 57-36, on Hall of Fame Night at Washington for their most lopsided victory in three years.

"I think it was kind of an exhale," said Coach Adam Sanchez. "We've had all this anger built up in close losses and close games where we've played well in stretches. We finally just went out and played well and were able to take a lead and extend a lead.

"I think we finally got to see our guys take a big, deep breath and have some fun playing basketball."

Terry Jenkins, a transfer from Jefferson, snagged 14 rebounds for the Warriors and played an important role in the victory against his ex-teammates. "I think that motivated him and he played very, very well," said Sanchez.

Sanchez has compiled a 12-30 record as Washington's head coach the last two seasons, but the Warriors have played their best basketball in February in both campaigns. They are 8-4 in February the past two years, compared to 4-26 in the other months.

Washington has a 5-14 record this season, but seven of those losses were by single digits. This time the Warriors turned the corner and did not look back.

"We were really dialed in and really wanted to get this one," said Sanchez. "When shots started going in that second quarter, it just makes you feel better and play a little harder."

Jefferson led 10-8 after the first quarter, but Washington went on a 22-7 surge in the second period and led 30-17 at halftime.

Maurice Arrington led the Warriors with 12 points and Keegan Moore scored 10 as the Warriors swept the regular-season series from Jefferson.

Washington began the season with the hardest schedule in the state, facing No.2 Bettendorf, No.4 North Scott and No.3 Iowa City West in succession. The Warriors lost those games by 32, 22 and 31 points with the rugged beginning.

It's been a long uphill climb since then, which was why Friday's game felt so good.

"It was good to be on the opposite end of it," said senior Tyler Soenksen. "Our schedule was just so hard. Those first three games really got to us. This was a good game for us to recover."

Soenksen isn't sure who put the schedule together. "Probably the devil," he said.

Washington has won three of its last four games, raising its record in the Mississippi Valley Conference to 5-9.

"It's been a tough season, but we're getting on a winning streak now," said senior Jake Kramer. "It's always good to beat a Metro team, especially when it's Jefferson because they're our cross-town rivals. We know the last two years have been a struggle. We're coming together as a team."

Jacob Olson scored 11 points for Jefferson (5-14, 3-12).

JEFFERSON (36): Olson 3 5-7 11, Hansen 1 0-0 2, Galvin 0 0-0 0, Hall 0 0-0 0, Cardis 1 0-0 2, J.VanOort 1 0-0 2, Wiederin 4 1-3 9, Colbert 0 1-2 1, Larson 0 0-0 0, A.VanOort 0 0-0 0, Konigsmark 3 2-4 9, Wise 0 0-0 0, Hunt 0 0-0 0, Waltmann 0 0-0 0, Simmons 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 9-16 36.

WASHINGTON (57): Anderson 2 0-0 4, Nelson 0 0-0 0, Hoeger 3 1-2 8, Taylor 1 0-0 3, Snitker 0 0-0 0, J.Kramer 1 2-2 5, Arrington 5 1-1 12, Severson 0 0-0 0, Printy 1 0-0 3, Claassen 0 1-2 1, S.Kramer 3 0-0 9, Soenksen 0 0-0 0, Harriott 0 0-0 0, Moore 5 0-0 10, Newman 0 0-0 0, Rodriguez-Bleakley 0 0-0 0, Good-Jones 1 0-0 2, Jenkins 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 5-7 57.

Halftime - Washington 30, Jefferson 17. 3-point goals - Jefferson 1 (Konigsmark 1), Washington 8 (S.Kramer 3, Hoeger 1, Taylor 1, J.Kramer 1, Arrington 1, Printy 1). Technical foul - Arrington.