The Mississippi Valley Conference is loaded with strong teams this year, with four of them residing here in the Metro area with Linn-Mar, Jefferson, Kennedy and Washington. There are other strong clubs around the state, which is why Fontana doesn’t think his team should be ranked so high.

“We’re not the fourth-best team in the state,” he insisted. “I would have put Wash, Jeff and Linn-Mar ahead of us, and I would have put Cedar Falls ahead of us.

“I’d say right now we’re a top-10 team, but I’d say we’re more around 9 or 10. We have a lot of things to iron out before we’re in the top-4.”

Washington Coach Brad Metzger was impressed with the Cougars.

“I think Kennedy is real talented,” he said. “People are not talking as much about them, but they’ve got some real solid basketball players and athleticism. They’re going to do well.

“You can’t call them a sleeper, because they’re as good as anyone. They’ll grind it out and they’ll fight you.”

Oglesby shot 8-for-11 on 3-pointers, according to Washington’s chart. The 6-foot-6 senior put on a show that people will remember and showed why he’s got a scholarship to the University of Iowa.

“That’s a good display for people to watch, a good thing for Hawkeye fans to get excited for,” Metzger said. “He can make shots, you know? That’s great for the state of Hawkeye Nation.”

Cybryan Moa, who hit five 3-pointers in Washington’s 49-41 victory over Jefferson last week, missed all his 3-pointers Tuesday and scored two points. Washpun struggled at the foul line, going 2-for-9 and costing Wash valuable points.

Metro basketball fans got a treat last week when Wash beat Jeff with numerous stars on display, and they got another treat Tuesday night.

“The MVC is crazy-good this year,” Manning said. “Man, there’s so much talent in there.”

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WASHINGTON (51): Carr 1 0-0 2, Tann 0 0-0 0, Butterfield 0 0-0 0, Washpun 7 2-9 17, Moa 1 0-0 2, Oglesby 10 0-0 28, Hoekstra 0 0-0 0, Bredl 0 0-0 0, Todd 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 2-9 51.

KENNEDY (56): Manning 7 3-3 17, Fuller 2 3-3 7, Misener 3 2-2 9, Heitland 0 0-0 0, Dixon 0 0-0 0, Christians 0 0-0 0, Lamaak 5 1-1 11, Coleman 2 3-3 8, French 2 0-0 4. Totals 21 12-12 56.

Halftime — Kennedy 25, Washington 22. 3-point goals — Washington 9 (Oglesby 8, Washpun 1), Kennedy 2 (Misener 1, Coleman 1).