CHARLESTON, W.Va. — George Washington showed strength and resilience in their Class AAAA quarterfinal game against University. Early on, fear of making mistakes had the Patriots struggling with turnovers. But once they settled in, it was smooth sailing.
GW ended up shooting over 68% in the first half and finished the game at 51%. Noah Lewis led the team with 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, guiding his team to a solid 62-42 victory in front of a packed crowd at the Charleston Coliseum.
“I felt more relaxed this time,” shared Lewis, reflecting on his nerves during his freshman debut. “When the game starts, it’s just basketball. The coach reminded us to relax and play our game.”
The 6-foot-7 junior made his presence known under the basket. His scoring helped boost GW’s lead from a tight one-point advantage to a comfortable 15-10 by the end of the first quarter. Despite facing some early turnovers, the Patriots turned things around quickly.
In the second quarter, GW turned up the heat. They didn’t commit any turnovers and hit 8 out of 11 shots. Lewis, in particular, was unstoppable, scoring 13 of his 19 first-half points within a short span.
“We try to set plays for him, but everyone has to stay involved,” explained GW head coach Rick Greene. “Noah is so skilled that he finds ways to contribute. We might run plays that focus on him, but all the players need to keep working.”
Lewis kicked off a decisive 10-0 run early in the second quarter. With his help, GW climbed to a 25-12 lead, emphasizing how important team synergy and quick adjustments were to their success.
The Hawks, while strong contenders with a solid record of 18-6, struggled against GW’s disciplined approach. Their head coach, Joe Schmidle, praised the Patriots for their strategy. He noted, “Lewis is their key player. He’s versatile: he can shoot threes, drive to the basket, and has a reliable mid-range shot. Our game plan didn’t account for him as much as we had hoped.”
As the third quarter kicked off, GW maintained their momentum. Jeff Harris hit shots to extend the lead even further. Lewis nailed a three-pointer early in the quarter, pushing the score to 43-21 and sealing the game’s fate.
Coach Greene emphasized the importance of composure. “You’re nervous initially. But once you settle down, you can really take control,” he said. “The first team that finds its rhythm often gains the upper hand.”
In the end, GW boasted an impressive field goal percentage of 62% for the game, having capitalized on University’s struggles. Lewis finished with 9 for 13 shooting and added eight blocked shots, taking advantage of Demeidovich’s early foul troubles.
Chuck Kelley, stepping up as a key role player, also contributed with eight points. He shared, “I focus on defense, but those double teams on Noah create openings for me, making it easier to score.”
Luke Byrer led University with 14 points, but the rest of the team faced challenges, combining to shoot just 11 for 37 overall. Greene noted, “Our defense was exceptional today. Every game, we focus on that, and when we can both defend and shoot well, we’re tough to beat.”
The insights from this match highlight the significance of teamwork and adaptability in basketball. As players like Lewis shine, it becomes clear that a unified approach can lead even a good team to victory.
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