By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
Girls recap
The Junction City Lady Jays kept the game close for the first four minutes, then Washburn Rural took over and cruised to a 71-13 win.
At the end of the first quarter, the Junior Blues led 17-4. Washburn Rural then had an offensive explosion in the second quarter, outscoring JC 28-4, and led 45-8 at the half.
Rural continued to pour it on in the second half, leading 59-11 at the end of three, and then finished the game with a final score of 71-13.
Junction City Freshman Isabel Pruitt led the Lady Jays with six points. Rural completed the season sweep of JC.
The Lady Jays fall to 1-15 on the year.
Boys recap
Washburn Rural was ready from the opening tip and took a 7-0 lead to force an early Junction City timeout. The Junior Blues led by double-digits at the end of the first quarter, 18-7. In the second quarter, JC trailed by 16 points, 29-13. The Blue Jays then rattled off a 14-4 run to end the half and trailed 33-27.
In the second half, the Blue Jays turned up their defensive intensity and turned defense into offense, which then gave the Blue Jays their first lead of the game late in the third quarter. Washburn Rural senior King Leonard made a floater at the buzzer, but JC led 50-49 at the end of the third.
The Junior Blues took the momentum of the buzzer-beater into the fourth quarter and outscored JC to win the game 64-58. JC made it close down the stretch when senior Jayden Mears hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 60-58 with 30 seconds to go. Rural made their free throws down the stretch and completed the season sweep over Junction City.
In the game, Junction City had three players in double-digits. Senior Ja'Twaan Williams led the way with 12 points, and junior Lovell Autry and senior Jeremias Cruz had 10 in the game.
JC falls to 10-6 on the year and 3-3 in Centennial League play.
The next action will be Monday night, Feb. 17, when the Blue Jays host Topeka High School. (The games have been moved up to Monday due to potential inclement weather on Tuesday).