By Mike Myers

Sports Writer

HUNTINGBURG — Hatchet Nation has long lobbied for a shot clock. But while such a rule isn’t in the works on a permanent basis, the Washington Hatchets would settle for just having one at Huntingburg’s Memorial Gym.

Every other year, the Hatchets travel to Southridge and face the slow down tactics of the host Raiders, who also held the ball against the Hatchets in their regular-season meeting at the Hatchet House last month.

On Tuesday, as Class 3A No. 2 Washington opened defense of its 2008 state championship against Heritage Hills, they once again had to face a team which seemed intent on fully exploring the word “deliberate” every time they had the basketball.

But Washington (19-2), as they have so many times this season, survived, this time by a 41-34 count over Heritage Hills (4-18).

But it was by no means easy for the Hatchets. Behind the 11 first half points of senior reserve center Wade Collins, WHS held a 23-13 halftime lead. But that lead was by no means commanding as the game was played at the tempo the Patriots were looking for — with Heritage Hills running clock on each possession.

Collins, whose play has improved seemingly every time out in the last month of the season, was huge all night for the Hatchets. He finished with 14 points, including 4-5 from the free throw line and 5-7 from the field. Collins also added four rebounds.

“Wade Collins had a very good ballgame. He’s the one who kept us in it in the first half,” said Washington coach Gene Miiller. “He was moving and cutting and really did a nice job offensively, but also did a nice job defensively.”

Things got close in the second half. The Patriots, who were led by 12 points from Justin Forshey, finished the third quarter with a 7-3 run to pull to within 28-22 heading into the final quarter. Things got even more uncomfortable for WHS early in the fourth quarter as Heritage Hills scored the first six points to knot the score at 28-all, and the Patriots actually had several chances to take the lead.

But the Hatchet defense, which allowed the Patriots to shoot 53 percent from the field, stiffened, holding Heritage Hills scoreless for more than 6:00 in the final quarter of play. Washington took the lead for good when senior guard Cody Osmon, who finished with 13 points, drained a huge 3-pointer from the right wing with 3:30 to play. Following a stop on the defensive end, Collins added a conventional 3-point play for a 34-28 WHS lead.

“Osmon hit some big shots, and did the things you expect Cody to do down the stretch with the experience he has,” said Miiller.

Washington hit just 14-19 from the free throw line but was much better at crunch time, hitting 7-9 in the final 2:09 of the game. Derek Singleton added six points and two steals off the bench for WHS, while Cody Zeller contributed six points.

Washington will face Pike Central (9-13) in Friday’s second game at 7:30 p.m. The Hatchets defeated the Chargers on PC’s home floor 62-46 on Jan. 24, but Miiller expects a tougher contest this time around.

“Pike Central is a different team,” Miiller said of the Chargers, who closed the regular season winning seven of their final 10 games. “It’s a different thing, but you might see some of the same kind of thing you saw here. They’ll be patient, move the basketball, and take time off the clock.”

The 6 p.m. first game on Friday features Jasper (10-10) versus Vincennes Lincoln (13-9). The Alices were a 47-36 winner over Southridge (15-6) in Tuesday’s first game.