High School Hoops Tips Off in Dramatic Fashion at the Red Jenkins Classic

In his first game as a Cavalier, freshman Eric Bowles Jr. hit a 3-point runner as time expired to give the Woodson the thrilling 61-58 victory over Robinson on the opening night of the Red Jenkins Classic. 

The Rams tied the game on a tricky inbound play with seven seconds remaining before Bowles Jr, a lightning quick point guard whose old school fade matches his array of crossovers, went coast-to-coast to drill the winner.

Junior Tommy Stepka, who hit a big go-ahead three of his own with under a minute remaining, led the Cavaliers with 19 points, while his brother, Brandon, and Bowles Jr. added nine apiece.

Bolstered by a boisterous student section, the Cavaliers jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead capped off by a 3-pointer-and-the-foul from Brandon Stepka.  The Rams would eventually settle in and battle back, as the teams went into the halftime break tied at 33.

The Cavaliers came roaring out of the gates again in the third quarter with a 7-0 lead, but again the Rams proved to be worthy adversaries, coming back to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. 

Whereas the Cavaliers utilized their depth and found success with a more methodical approach, the Rams relied on the play of their star senior Tristan Crenshaw, who finished with a game-high 24 points.

However, it was the late game heroics of Woodson’s up and coming star point guard that proved to be the difference.

In the night’s earlier game, the Fairfax Rebels jumped out to an early lead, but couldn’t hold off a scrappy Wakefield Warrior squad in the second half, losing their opener 58-47.

The Rebels dominated the opening period, outscoring Wakefield 14-6, thanks to stingy defense and sharpshooting from junior guard Zack Burnett, but Wakefield’s full court press and constant ball pressure eventually wore the Rebels down.

Fairfax was outscored 20-10 in a crucial third quarter that was never able to pull back into contention.  Burnett led all scorers with 18, and John Robic and Salim Collins added 8 and 5 respectively.

While the Red Jenkins Classic will continue tomorrow night with a girls double header, the Fairfax and Woodson boys teams will prepare for their rivalry math Friday night at 7:30.