With victories over the Washington-Liberty Generals and Herndon Hornets in consecutive games, the Wakefield Warriors have clinched first place in the Liberty District regular-season boys basketball standings.
The triumphs gave the Warriors an 18-3 overall record and a 10-1 league mark with one high-school game remaining – prior to the post season – against the second-place Marshall Statesmen (7-4).
Wakefield defeated visiting W-L, 61-48, then host Herndon, 65-52. With the wins, Wakefield will be the top seed in the district tournament.
The 18 victories are Wakefield’s most in a season since the Warriors finished 18-8 in the 2018-19 season. Wakefield coach Tony Bentley now has 380 career wins after the victory against Herndon.
Carlton Young had 26 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, three assists and two steals against Washington-Liberty and Miles Hancock had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with two steals. Also for Wakefield, Kevin McLinton, Jr. scored seven with two steals.
For W-L, Sean Guffey had a productive game with 12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and three assists. Gabriel Smith and Matt Bristol (five rebounds) scored nine each.
Wakefield took a big edge by outscoring the Generals, 26-13, in the third period.
The Warriors took an early lead against Herndon and were ahead the rest of the way. Young scored 26 against to lead Wakefield and Hancock and McLinton 10 each.
Washington-Liberty (7-15, 3-8) lost its next game to the visiting Yorktown Patriots, 51-49, rallying in the final 2 minutes then having two shots to tie or win at the end miss – the last three-quarters-court desperation three-pointer by Guffey. Smith made a late three-pointer to pull Washington-Liberty within 50-49.
Yorktown improved to 12-9, 6-5 and is tied for third in the Liberty District with the McLean Highlanders.
