Dec 23, 2014 4 min read

Ron Faust’s return to Washington High School as coach was a bit bumpy at the start. The Prexies lost three out of four games and were searching for consistency on offense.

Faust needed a guard to grab the reins, facilitate play calls from the bench and knock down big shots. There wasn’t a better match than Wash High’s two-year starting quarterback on the football team – senior Jonathan Spina.

Between plays, Spina looks to the bench to hear Faust’s call, often having to translate the long-time head coach’s mouthing of defensive adjustments. Against Brentwood Tuesday night, it was one simple philosophy Faust preached that Spina executed – attack.

The 5-10 guard scored a career-high 28 points to lift the Prexies to a pivotal 78-55 victory in a Section 3-AA game at Wash High gymnasium.

“It’s just like being a quarterback,” Spina said. “It’s day and night between (former head coach Mark Gaither) and Faust. We were rough for a bit because we are still getting used to everything, but this was a big step in the right direction. We’re starting to come together.”

Spina did it in style, knocking down four three-pointers, including three during a critical run for Wash High (2-2, 3-3) during the second quarter.

His previous career-high was 15 points.

“The experience he has as a quarterback in football and our other players respect and look up to him is what makes Jonathan a perfect fit,” Faust said. “There are going to be nights he has to carry the team. There are times he’s too unselfish, but he’s an outstanding shooter.”

Using a large lineup featuring two players over 6-7, Brentwood (2-2, 3-4) imposed its will with a strong inside game and three three-point field goals. With the Prexies trailing by three points and the offense looking stagnant – shifting the ball back-and-forth at the perimeter – Faust called a timeout late in the quarter.

There was not a defensive overhaul or lineup adjustment. He simply stressed to attack the Spartans to the rim. Being overwhelmed by the opponent’s size in a critical section game wasn’t an option.

“We needed to pressure them, and if we are going to make mistakes, we are going to make them going to the basket,” Faust said.

The result was a 15-3 run in which the Prexies played a pressure-heavy trap defense to force the Spartans into mistakes. Brentwood turned the ball over on seven consecutive possessions to start the second quarter and Spina capitalized with back-to-back three-pointers.

Spina scored 11 points during the eight-minute span to help Wash High head into the half with a 40-25 lead. The Prexies drove to the basket to get the Spartans’ big men in foul trouble and made them run the floor to exploit the weakness then had their way against a smaller lineup.

“We were trying to get the tempo at our pace and that’s not ours,” Brentwood head coach Dave Mislan joked. “Their guards are impressive. They got up the floor fast and that slowed us down. Spina and (Matt Popeck) are really good.”

Wash High added 24 points in the third quarter behind Spina, Popeck, senior forward DeQuay Isbell and junior forward Nate Swart.

Swart finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Isbell grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 10 points. Popeck had 11 to help Wash High earn a much-needed section win. Brentwood was led by senior guard Connor McWilliams, who finished with 15 points.

“It’s a monster of a win, especially before the break because we go to the EQT Tournament in (Bridgeport) West Virginia, then we play Laurel, which is a solid team,” Faust said. “This one takes the pressure off a bit.”