Super sophomore

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

The George Washington High School basketball team was knocked out of the Public League playoff run last week after a 73-59 loss to Roxborough High School.
The season is over for the Eagles, but sophomore Donte Williams still has energy to spare.
The 6-foot-3 swing guard made his varsity debut this year and had a stellar season with the Eagles. He averaged 15 points per game, leading his squad in scoring.
"Over the summer, I saw him get more and more confidence every day," said coach Calvin Jones. "He is one of the best — if not the best — sophomore players in this league. And this is a tough league."
The Eagles struggled with that tough competition in the Public League earlier this season, holding a 2-5 record by midseason. Things started to turn around in mid-January — Washington won five of six games at one point and qualified for a playoff spot.
"Things were looking ugly, but then we had a nice stretch," said Jones. "The kids played well and they got some confidence. We didn’t get to the playoffs last year, so my number-one goal was to get us back into the playoffs."
Jones and his players fulfilled that goal. But in that Feb. 13 game with Roxborough, the Eagles were shot down in the first round.
"They were a real good team," Jones said of Roxborough. "They were a little quicker than we were. We were kind of young, but this is a good experience for the kids who are coming back next year. We battled. We stayed with them for a while, but I think their experience really showed."
Andrew Goodman led the Eagles with 20 points, while Williams had 11. Andrew Porter and Dom Conner each scored seven points for Washington. On Roxborough’s side, senior Eric Bryan had a team-high 19 points.
"They beat us on rebounds," said Williams, who scored 273 points this season. "We were hoping to go a lot farther this year. Everyone doubted that we would even get here. We got here, though. We were confident coming in today. We just didn’t go as far as we wanted to."
Next year will bring another opportunity for Williams to showcase his skill on the basketball court. His coach figures that things can only get better.
"He’s had the best year of any sophomore I’ve ever had. His future is bright," said Jones. "I think when he leaves here, he could be one of the best players to ever play at this school. In my opinion, he’s got to be the best sophomore in the city. He’s going to be a heck of a player."
The season has ended for Williams and the Eagles. But he won’t be packing away those basketball sneakers just yet.
"I practice every day. There are no breaks," he said. "I play year-round and practice all the time. I play every day the same. I always give my all in every game and practice."
Williams will suit up with North Philadelphia’s Hood Enrich AAU squad this year, and he’ll join his Washington teammates to participate in a summer league.
"I’ll take a break until April, then I start playing in a spring league. But I’ll still be practicing every day," said Williams, who has been playing ball since he was 11. "Basketball is a year-round thing for me. I love the intensity of it."
Jones thinks that upcoming opportunities to play basketball will help the Eagles refine their game as they look ahead to next season.
"Athletically, I’d like us to stay strong and work in the summer league to get more experience," Jones said. "We’re going to get the guys to start lifting. We’re going to have to get stronger.
"I really think this team I have coming back is going to be a great team," he added. "We’re losing five seniors, but I think the young guys will have no problem stepping up. We’re going to make some noise next year, and I’m really looking forward to it." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com