Georgetown Wins With Selfless Approach
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By DERON SNYDER
The Redskins are awful, and the Capitals are disappointing. The Nationals could be a year away; Mark Turgeon’s Terrapins might be two. And the Wizards will be 0-7 unless they somehow manage to upset the New York Knicks on Friday at Verizon Center.
Granted, the competition hasn’t been stiff. But the Georgetown men’s basketball team is running away as metro Washington’s best major sports outfit. The Hoyas’ surge is even more enjoyable because their performance was totally unexpected.
The joy ride seemed headed for a speed bump Wednesday night against No. 20 Marquette, which enjoyed a 17-point lead with 13 minutes left. Georgetown’s No. 9 ranking and 10-game winning were in serious jeopardy, but the young Hoyas — especially the young ones — rallied for a stirring comeback that thrilled the crowd of 11,213.
Senior Jason Clark led all scorers with 26 points, and the only other Hoyas in double figures were the only upperclassmen — senior Henry Sims (13) and junior Hollis Thompson (16, including the game-winning 3-pointer with 24 seconds left). But Georgetown’s impressive freshmen played invaluable roles in the improbable 73-70 victory.
Perhaps owner Ted Leonsis should instruct Verizon Center workers to leave the Hoyas’ court in place for Friday, hoping that Georgetown’s characteristics rub off on his Wizards. They certainly could use a dose or 12 of the Hoyas’ patience, trust, unselfishness and commitment.
