So far, the new year has treated the Washington Demon boys’ basketball team (3-5 overall; 1-2 Southeast) well. After starting the season with one win in their first six games, Washington has opened up 2015 regular season play with victories over the Iowa Mennonite School (59-46) and the Mount Pleasant Panthers (48-43).

A factor in the Demon’s recent success has been the play of their defense. After giving up an average of 60.1 points per game in the 2014 part of the season, the Demons are giving up an average of 44.5 points per game in two games in 2015. Offensively, junior guard Derek Anding is averaging 17.5 points per game in 2015, three points better than his average at the end of 2014.

Washington returns to the court tonight in a non-conference battle against the Ottumwa Bulldogs (6-4 overall) at Ottumwa High School. The Bulldogs and Demons have several common opponents on their schedules, with Ottumwa scheduled to face every team in the Southeast Conference. The Bulldogs are 1-1 versus the conference this season, losing 67-48 to Fort Madison and defeating Fairfield 69-41.

Senior forward Nick Young leads the Bulldogs with 18.4 points per game and has connected on nearly 70% (72-104 FG) of his field goal attempts this season. Young also leads the team in rebounds, bringing down an average of seven per game.

The varsity boys’ contest between Washington and Ottumwa is schedule to start at 7:45 p.m. at Evans Middle School in Ottumwa. You can hear the game live on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com after the conclusion of the girls’ game.