# 2 Rock Canyon Mauls #1 George Washington
12/1/2017
The Rock Canyon Jaguars sent a loud a clear message on Friday night, We’re #1. The Jaguars thoroughly dismantled the visiting George Washington Patriots, 75-50. And at times the game didn’t even seem that close. Offense, defense, coaching, you name it the Jags dominated.
The first four minutes of the game would be the most competitive. George Washington scored the games first basket off a rebound and outlet pass that resulted in a lay up by senior Mo Diallo. Rock Canyon senior Nick Janedis answered with two free throws. Then GW’s Devon Jones hit a three pointer which Rock Canyon followed up with a lay up by senior Blake Williams. The Patriots saw it’s last lead evaporate with a three pointer by Janedis. The 6’5 Jandeis had a great first quarter setting the tone with his effort and execution scoring seven of his twelve points in the first quarter. Senior guard Sam Masten then got into the scoring action and added six points off of tough takes to the hole.
While Rock Canyon was being extremely efficient on offense it was their defense that set the tone for the game. The Jaguars mainly played zone and added some token full court pressure everyone once in a while. The zone kept the fast paced Patriots at bay and forced them into taking horrible shots. GW had more than their fair share of one pass then chuck up a three possessions. Or even when the Patriots could get in to the lane they tended to make one pass too many resulting in a poor shot or a turnover.
Once Rock Canyon was able to get a double digit lead they were never seriously challenged again. Blake Williams scored eight of Rock Canyons 16 points in the second quarter as the Jaguars started to pull away. Williams was terrific all night. He crashed the boards, was active on defense, and was eight of ten from the free throw line. There wasn’t much more you could ask from the 6’5 senior wing.
George Washington simply had no answer for what the Jaguars did on either end of the floor. The vaunted defensive pressure of the Patriots was carved up by Masten finding the open lanes to drive through. Tyson Gilbert also had an easy time getting to the basket or getting the open shot he wanted. George Washington only made two three pointers in the game and could not find answer to break the Rock Canyon defense.
Rock Canyon was up 35-24 at halftime but the lead felt much greater. Then when Rock Canyon open up the second half with an alley oop to Williams it seems to take any hope away from the Patriots. With the Jaguars smelling blood they quickly upped the pace and pressure on the Patriots. Building a nearly 30 point lead in the third quarter behind Masten and Gilbert. Masten dropped in seven points while Gilbert got to work and notched 12 of his 18 points in the second half. Rock Canyon left no doubt as to who was number one on this night.
Rock Canyon will play Mountain Vista at 3:30 in the championship game tomorrow of the Moutain Vista/Rock Canyon tournament.
Double Figure Scorers
Rock Canyon
Masten -21
Gilbert – 18
Williams – 18
George Washington
Devin Carter – 10
