Washington nets 27, shoots Modesto JC to Big 8 basketball win over Diablo Valley

Don’t ask Mason Washington how he makes magic on the basketball court. He does it, well, by not thinking.

“I just look at it on film after the game,” he said. “You’re in the groove. You just keep it going.”

Washington, Modesto Junior College’s sweet-shooting guard, has reached a new level in his redshirt freshman season. He burned Diablo Valley for 27 points – 16 in succession during an electric six-minute span of the first half – as the Pirates (9-10, 3-4 Big 8 Conference) swept to a satisfying 62-49 win Tuesday night.

Then again, Washington is ranked eighth in the state and leads the Big 8 with 20.8 points per game. After smoking San Joaquin Delta for 34 points in an otherwise disappointing loss Friday night, the former Modesto Christian star stayed hot.

Washington launched his personal run with three three-pointers. He continued with two free throws, another three-pointer and a final two from the line. Modesto led Diablo Valley (10-11, 2-5) by double digits thereafter.

The 6-foot guard, who redshirted with the Delta baseball team last year, clearly has rekindled his passion for basketball. His quick-stop elevation for a three, coupled with determined drives to the basket, have entertained MJC fans all season.

“My shot has been feeling good for a while,” he said.

Here’s how good: Washington connected on 5 of 7 from beyond the arc, 7 of 11 from the floor and netted all eight of his free throws. He’s 51 of 98 from the three-point range for the season (52 percent) and shooting 89 percent from the line.

“With Mason, sometimes I don’t know what to say. He has a great understanding of the game,” MJC coach Paul Brogan said. “He’s special.”

But this time, Washington’s form rubbed off on his teammates. Sophomore Joe Hamilton contributed two three-pointers and blue-collar work in the paint for 12 points, and post Mike Hatfield scored 10 points.

The MJC track team cheered the entire night, lending some authentic home-court support. The Pirates fed off it.

“It’s always nice to have the parents there, but the kids make it more fun,” Hamilton said. “They can say things the parents can’t.”

Modesto, which has often labored after halftime, stretched its lead to 21 with 11 minutes left. Diablo Valley found energy and rallied, but Modesto – paying attention to the shot clock – kept the upper hand.

Hamilton reached in for a steal, and Washington found him for a layup with 5:26 left to stem the Vikings’ momentum. Arching three-pointers late in the shot clock by Washington and Brennan Pope – the latter by Pope with 2:20 to go – iced the win.

Remy Dillard paced Diablo Valley with 12 points.

Modesto reaches the halfway point of the league race with some hope. More success is needed on the road, however, to sustain its improved play at home.

“That was one of our most complete games this season,” Brogan said. “It was one of the first times we’ve been solid the whole night.”

MJC hosts Big 8 co-leader Cosumnes River on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Diablo Valley women 66, MJC 46 – MJC’s 6-foot freshman Akaysha Simpkins entered the game averaging 14.1 rebounds and 4.3 blocks, No. 2 in the state in each category.

Simpkins, running head-on into a stronger and taller opponent in Diablo Valley, scored 17 points. But to no one’s surprise, it wasn’t nearly enough for the Pirates (3-15, 0-7).

Diablo Valley led 15-2 after the first seven minutes, though Simpkins – the only forward in an otherwise all-guard starting lineup – anchored a solid second quarter that left Modesto trailing 28-19 at halftime. It was encouraging for Modesto against a Vikings team (16-6, 5-2), arguably the third-best in the Big 8, that is ranked ninth in Northern California.

The Pirates could not cope with Jojuan Carrington and Brandy Williams, however, who combined height and power into 16 points apiece. They were most responsible for the Vikings’ 16 layups or baskets inside four feet.

Diablo Valley’s lead reached 28. MJC freshman guard Raquel Garcia, a teammate of Simpkins since their days at Enochs High School, continued her progress with 12 points.

The Pirates remain home Friday night against 1-6 Cosumnes River.

“That’s the game,” Garcia said. “We had players sick or injured the first time we played them. We have a chance.”

This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Washington nets 27, shoots Modesto JC to Big 8 basketball win over Diablo Valley."