Even in an ill-fitting uniform couldn’t slow down Travis Warren and Madison County Friday night in a 71-57 victory over Manassas Park in the Bull Run District boys tournament quarterfinals.
After bloodying his usual number 3 and shorts during a strong second quarter surge by the Mountaineers, Warren finished the game in an oversized No. 50 jersey. At first the 6-foot guard even got stuck with a pair of XXL shorts and a XXXL jersey, which drew some laughs from teammates when he re-entered the game.
“That was even too big for David Falk and Patrick Lucas (members of the 2010 state title team) and I don’t think that one’s been touched since we got those jerseys,” Warren said. “I guess I was the first one to break it in.”
Warren eventually got some more appropriately-sized shorts and Madison maintained the sizeable lead it built in the second quarter to easily dispatch a feisty Manassas Park squad trying to keep its season alive. Warren scored nine points during the second quarter spurt while Patrick Roebuck dished out a pair of assists and scored six points as part of the run.
“It was a little sloppy early on, but when things are getting hectic I just usually take over,” Warren said.
Warren helped settle the Mountaineers down after the hectic start and led Madison with 20 points on the night as Madison looked particularly solid in the halfcourt offense. While Manassas Park had a solid night on the boards that kept it within striking distance, Madison kept pouring it in out of its halfcourt set.
“When we slowed down and ran an offensive set I think we scored probably 90 percent of the time it’s just getting some of these guys to slow down at times is tough because we preach to them to play fast so much,” said Madison coach Ben Breeden. “But we’ve got to be able to play both ways because that’s what playoff basketball is all about.”
Roebuck finished with 15 points on the night while Matt Temple was a consistent force underneath with 17 on the night. Gage Berryman also had an impact in the post with eight points.
LaQuan Wano led Manassas Park with 16 on the night.
The victory potentially sets the Mountaineers up for a re-match with archrival William Monroe who rolled over Madison in the two squads’ last meeting. If the Dragons win Friday night in the tournament quarterfinals they’ll face the Mountaineers in the Bull Run semifinals.
