On a night dedicated to recognizing individual history, A.J. Washington ensured the focus remained on the team’s future.
Recognized before tipoff for reaching the 1,000-point career milestone, Washington helped power the Fort Mill Yellowjackets to a dominant 61-47 victory over the visiting Gaffney Indians on Friday.
The victory moves Fort Mill to 5-1 on the season, while Gaffney remains winless at 0-4.
“I feel blessed to achieve that goal,” Washington said. “A lot of people have helped me along the way — from Coach Lowery to my teammates.”
While the pregame festivities celebrated Washington’s statistics, his performance on the court demonstrated why he has earned accolades ranging from All-Region to All-State. After a tight first quarter ended with Fort Mill leading 17-12, the Yellowjackets seized control in the second period.
Washington drained a 3-pointer late in the first half to push the lead to 31-18, part of a defensive clampdown that held the Indians to just six points in the second quarter. Fort Mill took a commanding 33-18 lead into halftime.
Fort Mill head coach Myron Lowery put the senior’s achievement into historical perspective.
“It’s a great accomplishment for A.J.,” Lowery said. “In my 36 years, I’ve had less than 10 kids reach this milestone. It puts him in rarefied air.”
Lowery noted that Washington has been a varsity impact player since his freshman year, a rarity in high school basketball. “He’s been a big guard with a knack for scoring,” Lowery said. “His basketball IQ is extraordinary.”
The Yellowjackets continued to surge in the second half. Aided by scoring from teammates Wallace Campbell and Jermier Nelson, Fort Mill extended its lead to as many as 27 points in the fourth quarter. Washington added to his career total with multiple drives and free throws in the second half to keep Gaffney at bay.
Despite the lopsided score, Washington’s leadership stood out to the coaching staff.
“A.J. is a personable guy who can calm the team down when no one else can,” assistant coach Aaron Knight said.
For Washington and the Yellowjackets, the milestone is a stepping stone rather than the destination. After falling short in the state championship game last season, the team is motivated by “unfinished business.”
“Our ultimate goal is to win state,” Washington said.
Fort Mill returns to action at home on Saturday against Boiling Springs (5-2).
In the opening game of the doubleheader, the Fort Mill girls basketball team fell to Gaffney, 58-35. The loss drops the Fort Mill girls to 3-4 overall on the season. The victory keeps the Gaffney girls team undefeated as they improve to 5-0.
