Washington, Jones square off Tuesday

Jones and Wheatley have owned District 22-4A boys basketball in recent years, but Washington head coach Vincent Grayson believes his Eagles should be mentioned in the conversation.

"We were picked third (in preseason polls), but we can compete with the top two teams," Grayson said.

Grayson's squad will get the opportunity to show whether it is a contender or not, facing state-ranked Jones on Tuesday night at Delmar Sports Complex.

"It's probably our biggest game of the year — so far," Grayson said.

Jones head coach Quincy Shelton hasn't seen Washington in action, but, based on what he's heard, considers the Eagles a threat.

"We're going to have to be ready to play," Shelton said.

ABOUT THE GAME

• Matchup: Washington Eagles vs. Jones Falcons

• When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11

• Where: Delmar Sports Complex

• What's at stake: The early District 22-4A lead is up for grabs. But, in all likelihood, the league should be a three-team race featuring Jones, Wheatley and Washington.

• Washington players to watch: G T'ajone Welcome, G Darion Cooks, PG Maurice Taylor, F Anthony Willams, F John Gibbs, G Donquince Burns, PG Jerry Murphy III.

• Jones players to watch: F/P DeMarcus Johnson, P Broderick Harris, PG Joseph Miles, G Jamarco Brown, G Patrick Smith, P/F Travion Joyce, P Justin Guillory, G Timothy Brown.

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Washington: The Eagles had a joyous holiday season, claiming the consolation title at the Houston ISD Boys Basketball Tournament and edging Reagan 72-68 to extend their winning streak to five in a row. Welcome, Washington's leading scorer, tallied 19 points against the Bulldogs, while Cooks and Williams added 18 apiece.

• Jones: The Falcons swept Waller, Sweeny and Dawson in pool play at the Brazoria County Jaycees Holiday Classic. However, Jones dropped both games in the Gold bracket, 68-60 to Brazosport and 60-58 to Brazoswood in the third-place contest. Shelton felt his team should have won the tournament, but Johnson, the Falcons' best inside player, suffered an ankle sprain against Brazosport and sat out the last game. Miles, a veteran point guard, picked up the slack.