Washington's Arrington bursting onto the scene

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Washington didn't have a single player who averaged double digits in points last season. Not even close.

"And we might have two this year," head coach Adam Sanchez said with a laugh. "One's a junior, and one's a sophomore, so that's exciting."

The sophomore is guard Jared Printy, as pure a young shooter as you'll see around these parts. The junior is Maurice Arrington, as potentially exciting a young player as you'll see around these parts.

The 6-foot-6 center is coming off the best game of his brief varsity career, 19 points and 13 rebounds in a win last week over Cedar Rapids Jefferson. He has double-doubles in half of Washington's six games, averaging 12.3 points and 8.8 rebounds.

He's tall, long, athletic and springy, a guy whose future could be very bright."At the beginning of the season, no, I didn't think I'd be (doing this well)," Arrington said. "Now that I look at it, it feels great, and I want to keep it going."

Arrington struggled last season with injuries and eligibility, missing important developmental court time. But he is rapidly becoming a guy opponents have to game plan for.

He has quick moves around the hoop and can range out to the 3-point line. He is a perfect 11 for 11 from the free-throw line.Washington (2-4) plays Friday night at Cedar Rapids Xavier.

"I'd say I'm a little surprised that it has happened this early for him. But the potential has been there all along," Sanchez said. "For him, it's definitely a mental thing. Does he want to play really hard? Does he want to play strong and tough with the ball? Does he want to be the best player on the floor? When he wants to do that stuff, wants to go and get rebounds and those things, there are not many guys that can stop him."

Arrington said he definitely wants to do all those things.

"This year, my mindset is to come out, play hard or go home," he said. "Don't come to the gym and play if you're not going to play hard. That's how I see it. Lay it all out here every game, try my hardest to do my best and help the team win."

Maurice's uncle, Adrian, is a legendary name in Washington athletic annals, a guy who had a good career as a wide receiver at the University of Michigan and played in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Adrian Arrington - who is back living in Cedar Rapids - is in his nephew's ear in an apparent good way about making the most of his promise.

"I looked up to him as a kid," Maurice Arrington said. "I just want to do everything that he does. Now I think I'm a little better at basketball than he was. I probably won't tell him that, but that's how I feel."

"I think the messages are all coming from the right direction, which is good to see," Sanchez said. "There's a high ceiling for Maurice. But he's still got a lot of work to do. He's got to continue to have a work ethic every single day. That's where he's got to show consistency."