By Thomas Leturgey
The Steel City Yellow Jackets (2-1) got back on the winning track Saturday Night in Pittsburgh, but it did not come easy, 116-103 over the Columbus Wizards.
It also appears that the Pittsburgh’ entry in the American Basketball Association (ABA) may have a new star shooting guard among its midst. On the strength of 14 points in the fourth quarter, Jay Washington led all Yellow Jackets with 34.
The Wizards came to play with a strong starting lineup. All five starters—Jay Farrow, Allante Gorham, RJ Fairrow, Phil Bledsoe Jr. and Branden Wilkins played key roles in keeping the game close. That to that, sixth man Sean Rogers and Columbus brought a formidable team against Ace Pippen’s club.
Job Brown and Kenny Holmes brought the Yellow Jackets up the court in the early going, and Jay Washington provided pivotal play.
The Yellow Jackets led throughout the first quarter, save for a few moments early on when Columbus had a 3-2 lead and play was tied at five. Holmes had nine of his 30 points in the first quarter as the Yellow Jackets led 32-24 after the first 12 minutes.
It was give and go in the second quarter, as the Wizards briefly jumped ahead, 33-32 on a Gorham three-pointer. But Washington, Brown and Tayon English (with a three) regained the lead, 39-33 with 9:18 left in the half.
Every time Columbus came close, the Yellow Jackets answered. Washington slammed a basket home to make it 46-39 and Brown rebounded his own errant shot and scored a basket to extend their lead to 51-41. Bledsoe kept answering and bringing Columbus close.
The Yellow Jackets maintained a 60-54 lead at the half.
Justin Hamilton scored first in the second half and both teams traded buckets. The Yellow Jackets had stretched their lead to 11 before Columbus turned around the momentum. Jay Farrow hit a three-pointer to close the gap to five with 4:40 to go in the third.
While the Yellow Jackets inside game continues to improve, the Wizards with 6’6” Branden Wilkins and 6’7” Jay Farrow dominating. It should be noted that Justin Hamilton had a great second half with rebounds and putting a few points on the board. Team newcomer Cordell Nicola played a few minutes in the third quarter and came down with a few key rebounds.
Theo Braddy hit a three-pointer, and Bledsoe added one of his own to put the Wizards within one point with about 1:20 to go in the quarter. Brown answered with a three pointer. Jay Farrow hit a jumper to bring the teams closer at 85-83. With :35 to go in the quarter, Farrow scored again and put Columbus up 86-85.
Job hit a great pass to a running Holmes, and he delivered to put the Jackets up again, 87-86. He was fouled on the play and connected on the foul shot. The Jackets held onto a narrow 88-86 lead.
The Yellow Jackets defense continues to be a major player in the early games. Even though they lost last, Steel City held Buffalo to just 95 points.
Throughout the game, forward Wilkins constantly complained about not being able to have enough space on inbound passes. Washington pressed hard against him.
No one really got a distinct advantage in the final 12 minutes. At one point there was a lengthy time out when referees conversed as to what they had experienced. The Wizards had a 3D opportunity and as several players converged under the net, there was a skirmish. Jay Farrow was called for a technical foul and Brown hit one of two free throws to make it a 101-97 contest.
Hamilton rebounded well down the stretch and Jay Washington led the charge to 107-97.
There was stronger defense in the final moments and consistent offense from Washington helped push the Yellow Jackets to a 116-103 win.
“We played better than they did,” said Pippens after the game. “We played better defense, we played better as a team. We made our shots. All-in-all it was a good game. We played well, but there’s still work to do.”
On Jay Washington’s performance, Pippens commented, “He is our silent assassin. The more comfortable he gets with the game and team we will see more of that. They played good together. They will work to continue to grow to take care of business.”
Washington led with 34 and Holmes posted 30. Job Brown had 24, Tayon English had 8 in limited play, Justin Hamilton and Terrance Holloway each added six. Cliff McNair had five and Theo Braddy Jr. had three.
Jay Farrow had 34 for Columbus.
The Yellow Jackets now hit the road for the next two weekends. Columbus, which supplanted Erie’s ABA team on the schedule (they were suspended by the league), will return to Pittsburgh on December 7.
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