Kade Sebastian (DeMatha) – Photo by Seth Burtin
By Mikael Desta
After a down to the wire loss to the Tenley Tigers (Jackson Reed) in last year’s championship game, DeMatha is looking to bounce back this year with another CHSL championship. Their first game was last night against the Mustangs (Meade). As one of the later teams to debut in this year’s Summer League, the Stags looked a bit rusty early, holding just a 3 point lead with 6 minutes left in the first half. The Mustangs were looking to shock DeMatha with their high motor but Coach Jones’ squad wasn’t letting that happen. In the last three minutes of the half DeMatha would go on a run fueled by offensive rebounds and forced turnovers, pushing the lead to nine at the break. The Stags were still not happy and came out in the 2nd half swinging. The Stags raised their defensive effort early in the 2nd half and created a ton of turnovers, leading to wide open opportunities all over the court. The game would begin to open up for Jacob Wallace (12 points, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Kade Sebastian (12 points, 5 steals), allowing the Stags to take complete control of the game. The Stags won 79-46, with 5 scorers in double digits and 18 combined steals. Some specific standouts from this game were rising sophomore Jamal McKnight Jr and rising senior Caden Walton. McKnight would continue to show flashes of his continued growth as a passer and playmaker, leading all players with 7 assists. Walton was a key contributor in taking control of the game late in the first half with his intensity defensively and his relentlessness on the offensive glass. Walton finished with 10 points, 5 boards, and 2 steals. Class of 2027 big men Danny Abass (10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal) and Derek “Beau” Daniels (11 points on 4-4 shooting, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steals) were also very effective for the Stags. DeMatha is back in action tonight with a championship rematch against the Tenley Tigers.