OGDEN -- When Randy Rahe got a call from a good friend asking if he would take a hard-working basketball player on and off the court as a walk-on, the Weber State coach didn't hesitate.
Because of that decision, the Wildcats have a spark coming off the bench that, so far this season, has ignited the Wildcats at the right times.
When the Wildcats (3-4), on a two-game winning streak, face Montana Tech tonight, Matthew Washington will likely bring energy on to the floor as he checks into the game.
Following his time at West Hills College in Coalinga, Calif., Washington was looking for a change and wanted to move to Utah because his wife, Monica, had family here. So his junior college coach Mark Arce, who was once on the coaching staff with Rahe at Utah State, called Rahe and suggested that Washington try his luck at Weber State.
"He showed up on sight unseen," Rahe said. "I trust (Arce) so he just showed up one day and we put him on the team. He came to practice and he just works so hard."
Washington, who spent last season as a member of the scout team, worked hard battling against WSU's big men Steve Panos, Kyle Bullinger, Trevor Morris and Darin Mahoney in order to get them ready for the upcoming game.
"It was tough, I must admit it was tough," said Washington, who attended the University of New Orleans for a year but did not play basketball, prior to playing at West Hills. "The scout team has to go hard to get the team prepared for the game."
Washington felt like all the hard work last season has helped him in his effort to earn a spot on the team, which he admits he's still trying to do, and now he is fighting for time on the court.
Working hard isn't new to Washington, who has to juggled being a 3.0 GPA student majoring in sociology, a husband and a college athlete.
"If there's a secret, I need to know about it," joked Washington, who at 26 is the oldest player on the team.
The secret is just plain hard work, which Washington learned in his youth. He played football and basketball at Ehret High School in New Orleans, but also had to spend a lot of time working jobs in order to help his family.
Washington has averaged just 8.4 minutes per game this season, averaging 4.0 points per game and 1.8 rebounds. Mostly what the junior forward does can't be measured in statistics.
"He's sparked us, and sometime you don't need much," Rahe said. "You just need an offensive rebound or you just need a loose ball, whatever it may be and that gets your team going. That's what he's done for us and he's given us that little spark."
"I just see that as my role," Washington said about giving a spark to the team. "Whatever I have to do to help the team get a 'W' that's what I'm going to do."
He did just that on Saturday in WSU's 80-65 win at Sacramento State.
When Washington checked in the game with 14:59 left, along with Nick Hansen and Trevor Morris, WSU trailed 41-38. Washington left the game with 7:30 remaining, WSU led 54-48. While it was an entire team effort that got the win, Washington's presence was certainly a factor.
Washington got a steal that led to an alley-oop dunk by Damian Lillard from Lindsey Hughey, which pulled WSU to within 45-44. During the next few minutes Washington had three rebounds, one of them on the offensive glass that led to a layup, and six points.
"He gets four or five minutes and usually when he leaves the game we've got ourselves energized," Rahe said. "He's done that every time he's come into the game for us recently."
The Wildcats are counting on Washington's spark to continue throughout the season.
"That's my plan," Washington said. "When I come off the bench I give 100 percent, I give my all while I'm on the court."
* WOMEN HOST BYU IN IN-STATE BATTLE: The Weber State women's basketball team will wrap up a three-game slate of in-state contests at 5 p.m. when the Wildcats (4-4) host BYU (5-2) at the Dee Events Center. The Cougars lead the series 36-8.
Last week, the 'Cats lost to Utah then defeated Utah Valley.
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