JAMES W. ROBINSON UPSETS WEST POTOMAC

1/21/25 – The James W. Robinson Secondary School Rams upset the previously unbeaten West Potomac High School Wolverines, 50-47.

The game, played at Robinson’s gym, was not as close as the final score indicated. Robinson opened the game on a tear scoring the first 14 points until West Potomac’s senior point guard, Olivia Jones, made the first basket for the Wolverines. Jones scored nine points in the first half and single-handedly kept West Potomac in the game during the first half.

Robinson’s dynamic duo of Georgia Simonsen and Madison Coutinho combined for only six points in the first half. Simonsen was being double teamed every time she got the ball down low and Coutinho was hounded all night on defense by sophomore Delores Harkless. When Coach Petrucelli from West Potomac took out Harkless for a rest, Jones hounded Coutinho as well.

With Simonsen and Coutinho not scoring as much as they usually do, the scoring load fell to their teammates – and they did not disappoint. Senior Jaymie Bevins played a pivotal role in the game and had eight points in the first half, while freshman London Augustin added 6 points in the half. With Robinson playing aggressive defense and with the scoring of Bevins and Augustin, Robinson took a 22-14 halftime lead. 

The third quarter was back and forth but Simonsen was able to avoid the double teams she saw in the first half and scored 6 points in the third quarter to hold back West Potomac.

Robinson came out strong in the final quarter with Coutinho, Simonsen and Bevins sharing in the scoring. West Potomac made a furious rally in the last 3 minutes and got as close as five points with 50 seconds to go. But that is as close as they came until a West Potomac shot in the last few seconds made it 50-47.

The scoring leaders for Robinson were Bevins and Simonsen who each had 14 points and Coutinho had 8 points. Jones and Pietrina Copty each had 12 points for West Potomac.

Prior to the game, West Potomac was ranked No. 5 in the State of Virgina according to MaxPreps and Robinson was ranked No. 11.

West Potomac has the opportunity for revenge when these teams play again at West Potomac High School on Valentine’s Day. February 14th.