2nd-quarter blitz carries Washington past Jefferson

CEDAR RAPIDS — Frank Howell asked for a show of hands.

The Washington Warriors obliged, and the steals flowed freely.

Cedar Rapids Washington accumulated 23 thefts, many of them in a second-quarter blitz that spelled the difference in the Warriors' 76-70 victory over Cedar Rapids Jefferson in a non-conference girls' basketball games between the Mississippi Valley Conference rivals Friday night at Jefferson High School.

'That was probably the best stretch of basketball we've played this season,' said Howell, the Warriors' coach. 'We started to show our hands a little bit on defense, and we got a lot of deflections.'

Deflections turned to steals, and steals turned to baskets in a blinding 24-2 surge in less than 4 minutes to start the second quarter. That turned a tight game into a comfortable margin — which, in turn, became a fairly tight game at the end.

'Our press ... we've been wanting to use our press like that,' said Washington's Jayla Pledge-Johnson. 'Tonight, we really wanted it.'

The final damage? Thirty-three Jefferson turnovers. Pledge-Johnson collected eight steals, Joniqua Clark six.

Washington (9-6) took its largest lead at 61-38 midway through the third quarter, then Jefferson scored 16 straight points to make it interesting, 61-54, with 6:53 left. But the Warriors weathered the storm and held on.

The turnover difference led to Washington taking 27 more field-goal attempts than the J-Hawks, 72 to 45.

Anne Visser scored 16 of her team-high 18 points in the first half. Pledge-Johnson added 15 points, and Clark posted 11 points, five rebounds and seven assists to go with her six steals. Jessi Puk scored 10.

Jefferson's Kennedy Dighton hit 10 of 13 shots and led all players in points (27) and rebounds (11). Avery Guy added 14 points and six assists.

CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON 76, CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON 70

At C.R. Jefferson

C.R. WASHINGTON (76): Joniqua Clark 4-10 3-4 11, Anne Visser 6-12 2-2 18, Payton Bruner 2-5 3-6 8, Jessica Puk 3-9 4-5 10, Jayla Pledge-Johnson 7-11 0-2 15, Vanessa Eniola 0-2 0-0 0, Sandra Mia 4-6 0-0 8, Melanie Hoeger 0-0 0-0 0, Grace Carey 0-1 0-0 0, Caitlin Riley 2-6 0-0 6. Totals 28-72 12-19 76.

C.R. JEFFERSON (70): Samantha Kitterman 1-3 1-2 3, Avery Guy 4-7 5-6 14, Kylie Wise 3-6 0-0 8, Kennedy Dighton 10-13 4-6 27, Emily Oler 3-4 0-0 6, Erin Kuba 1-2 1-2 3, Sparkle Melton 0-2 0-0 0, Kaylee Donner 1-4 0-0 2, Erica Oler 3-4 1-2 7. Totals 26-45 12-19 70.

Halftime: Washington 49, Jefferson 30. 3-point goals: Washington 8-26 (Visser 4-10, Bruner 1-2, Puk 0-6, Pledge-Johnson 1-3, Riley 2-5), Jefferson 6-13 (Kitterman 0-1, Guy 1-3, Wise 2-5, Dighton 3-3). Team fouls: Washington 19, Jefferson 22. Fouled out: Visser. Rebounds: Washington 28 (Visser 6), Jefferson 32 (Dighton 11). Assists: Washington 14 (Clark 7), Jefferson 16 (Guy 6). Steals: Washington 23 (Pledge-Johnson 8), Jefferson 12 (Kitterman 3). Turnovers: Washington 17, Jefferson 33.

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