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Margaretta’s Julian Washington compares college basketball to fishing

VaselineJuly 8, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Margaretta’s Julian Washington compares college basketball to fishing

Margaretta junior Julian Washington is often busy hauling in buckets or large catches with his hands.

Washington, who is among the athletes in the Michael K. Bosi series this year, was first-team all-Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division basketball, averaging 19.8 points on 64 percent shooting as a sophomore last season. He caught nine touchdown passes, intercepted six throws and scored one goal on defense for football.

He’s fishing for a chance to continue his career, with basketball offers from Ohio, Kent State, Toledo and Charleston. When he’s not casting a big talent shadow, he’s finding a nice place to drop a line.

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“The things I do outside of basketball, golfing and fishing,” he said. “If I’m not in the weight room or the gym (or on the field), I’m fishing or golfing. I’ll be the first to tell you, I’m not the best (golfer). It’s fun, I enjoy it.

“I’m hitting good shots here and there. I’m getting on the green every now and then.”

For Washington, fishing is most like basketball.

“I was probably 6 or 7, I was fishing with my grandpa and a couple of my older brothers,” he said. “A lake in Buffalo. My grandpa said whoever caught the most fish, the biggest fish would get a meal, something special. I didn’t catch any fish.

“I got angry. I put on a new bait; I reeled them in one by one. I caught 12 fish in a row. Finally I won.”

Slam dunks are better, but few things can match a successful fight with a hostile fish. Certainly not for a polar bear.

“The best thing is of course to catch a fish,” he said. “That’s the best moment you can have; to hook a big fish. One of your mates takes a picture with you and your big fish. That’s a big moment to enjoy.”

Washington transferred from Perkins Schools to attend high school.

“I wanted a change; Margaretta was the best option,” he said. “I’m glad I ended up here because of the people I met and the relationships I built.”

Margaretta reached a regional final in basketball last season, capturing a share of the conference crown.

“Winning the game against Ashland Crestview,” Washington said of a district semifinal. “The way we won, we were so far behind the whole game. (Judah Keller) got hit in the face. There was blood everywhere.

“Gage Bodey came over and we talked about how great it would be to come back and win. We had an 11-0 run to tie the game or take the lead. That was a cool moment.”

It was the kind of scenario that could bring a team together.

“It made our team hungry to keep winning and competing and winning games,” Washington said. “The best experience was connecting with my teammates and building chemistry off the court. We’re always hanging out. We’re at each other’s houses.

“We talk at school. We’re big on teams. You play better when you’re more connected to your team. Team chemistry helps in basketball. We enjoy being together and that translates to the court.”

Washington was still relatively young, but last year he matured him.

“I learned a lot from my coach about situational game plans, controlling my emotions and keeping my balance in big games,” he said. “In a regional semifinal, you need a level head to stay calm. Our goal is to win a state championship.

“That’s been the goal since freshman year. I’m going to try to help us come back and move forward.”

Washington and Keller are classmates, positioned to bring out the best in each other. Keller was injured and out of quarterback for part of last season, but rust is unlikely for the duo.

“To spend as much time with him as we do to grow our friendship on and off the court, I love being with him,” Washington said. “I’m excited. Judah is my best friend. We do a lot together. We’ve been together for two years and I’m not going to take the time for granted.”

Washington is also extremely dangerous returning kicks on special teams, returning two punts for scores for the Polar Bears (6-5).

“There was a long throw from Judah to Vermilion and I caught it over two or three guys,” he said. “That was my favorite individual moment.”

Washington is on the verge of reaching 1,000 career points.

“Jake Leibacher scored 1,423 points,” he said. “That’s what I want. That’s the record I want to break by the time I graduate. If you’re a basketball player who aspires to great things, that’s the record you want to break. It’s been a goal since I was a kid to keep leveling up as I get older and keep growing.”

Wherever his basketball career takes him, Washington will always continue to seek success.

“You spend countless hours doing the sports you love; it’s a getaway,” he said of fishing. “A hobby. I can relax. Go to the garage, grab my rod and my tackle box and go fishing. It clears my mind. It’s an escape. Making a shot is like catching a fish.

“Both things are good. Everyone loves to take pictures and everyone loves to catch a fish.”

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VaselineJuly 8, 2024

0 3 minutes read