Washington High School - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

'Jazz'-ed up Warriors headed to state

The Washington Warriors got all “Jazz-ed” up on Tuesday night. As in senior forward Jazz Royster.

Royster responded to a second-quarter tongue-lashing from Coach Frank Howell and spearheaded her team to a 70-51 regional final victory over No. 7 Pleasant Valley at Prairie High School.

The sixth-ranked Warriors (19-3) will face No.3 Iowa City West (21-2) next Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the first round of the girls state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

It will be Howell’s fifth trip to Des Moines in eight years at the helm of the Warriors. He also made two appearances as head coach at Audubon High School.

Royster said she took Howell’s comments in stride.

“I kind of like it when I get yelled at because it makes me work harder,” she said. “I have never been to state before. It feels great.”

With his team leading by eight points, Howell removed Royster from the game early in the second quarter. He angrily scolded the junior for several seconds and then sent her back in the game.

Royster immediately responded with a three-point play, then banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key, followed by a offensive rebound and a put-back. In a span of just three minutes, Royster had ignited the Warriors with eight key points, giving her team a 20-point lead (37-17).

Washington led 39-17 at halftime and Pleasant Valley (18-4) never threatened again.

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Washpun gets offer from Missouri State

Cedar Rapids Washington senior Wes Washpun has been offered a scholarship to play basketball at Missouri State.

Washpun said Tuesday he is seriously considering the offer, but wants to visit Missouri State and possibly other schools in the next few weeks before making a decision.

Missouri State Coach Cuonzo Martin called Washpun Monday night and made the offer, shortly after Washpun had scored 21 points and helped Washington beat Clinton in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A substate tournament.

"I just thought it was another call, and to get the offer like that was pretty exciting," he said. "It's definitely exciting news and I'm very appreciative of the offer."

Washpun, a 6-foot-1 point guard, is averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3.4 steals and 2.2 blocked shots for the Warriors (15-8).

Washpun also has offers from North Dakota, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. "I'm still thinking I'm going to wait and take all my visits after the season is over before I make my decision," he said.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have expressed interest, but have not offered a scholarship. Northern Iowa offered Washpun a scholarship that would have started in 2012 instead of 2011, meaning Washpun would have been a walk-on next season, but UNI withdrew its offer last fall after Washpun said he was not ready to decide.

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Oglesby, Washpun power Warriors

That darn 35-point rule in high school basketball probably cost Josh Oglesby a record Monday night, but that was OK with Oglesby and the Washington Warriors.

Oglesby, Wes Washpun and all the seniors enjoyed their final home game anyway.

Oglesby flipped in eight 3-pointers and Washpun performed another Jordan-esque monster jam as the Warriors drubbed Clinton, 70-31, in the Class 4A substate quarterfinals.

Oglesby made seven 3-pointers in the first half, within striking distance of the school record of nine triples set by Mike Penney against Davenport West in 2002. But Washington led by 35 points at halftime, 53-18, which triggered a continuous clock for the entire second half and limited Oglesby's playing time.

He hit his eighth 3-pointer in the third period, matching his personal best, but time flew by since the clock did not stop for fouls, free throws or substitutions. He finished the third quarter with eight treys and stayed there, because he did not play in the fourth period with the Warriors enjoying a romp.

"I'm not really too worried about what the record is," said Oglesby, who finished 8-of-11 on 3-pointers. "Coach (Brad) Metzger mentioned something at halftime, that he wasn't going to take me out until I got nine, but at the same time I want other kids to get the ball."

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Warriors overpower North Scott

Tia Dawson scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked 11 shots to lead No. 7 Cedar Rapids Washington to a 75-25 rout of North Scott in a Class 4A regional girls basketball tournament game Saturday at Washington.

The Warriors (18-3) advance to play No. 8 Pleasant Valley in the regional finals Feb. 22 at Cedar Rapids Prairie. The winner of that game advances to the state tournament.

Washington raced to a 32-13 halftime lead.

The Warriors held North Scott to six field goals, forced 28 turnovers and had 13 steals.

Ashley Piper led Washington with 14 points.

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