By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
Recap: Junction City 54, Gardner-Edgerton 52 (OT)
The Junction City Blue Jays beat the Gardner-Edgerton Trailblazers 54–52 in overtime in the second game of pool play in the Spring Hill Invitational Basketball Tournament.
The Blue Jays jumped out to an early 6–0 lead and forced an early timeout by the Trailblazers. JC led by five at the end of the first quarter, 11–6.
In the second quarter, Junction City struggled to find any offense for the first six minutes. Junction City led 15–11 with two minutes to go in the half when junior Khaliel Walker hit a contested shot and was fouled. He converted the three-point play.
JCHS ended the half on a high point. Junior big man Brody Boeckman caught the ball at the foul line, spun around, and dunked the ball with two hands. On the next possession, Walker hit a corner three-pointer as the first-half clock ran out, and the Blue Jays led 25–18 at the break.
In third-quarter action, Gardner-Edgerton made their comeback. They cut the deficit to two, trailing 30–28. Junction City then went on their own run and led by 10, their largest lead of the game, at 38–28. JC led 38–30 after three quarters.
In fourth-quarter action, the Trailblazers made a furious comeback and even led by one point with 1:30 to go in the game. JC tied the game at 44–44 and then had a chance to win the game in regulation but was unable to convert, and the game went into overtime.
Gardner-Edgerton led 47–46 in overtime, but senior Lovell Autry nailed a clutch three-pointer and converted his free throws at the line, and the Blue Jays won the game 54–52 in OT.
In the game, Autry finished with 15 points, Boeckman finished with 11, and Walker added 10.
Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was junior defensive standout Angel Allen. He scored three points in the game but played great on the defensive end all game long. For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Angel Allen received a free $20 meal coupon from Blu Restaurant, located at 602 N. Washington St. in Junction City.
With the win, Junction City finished 2–0 in pool play and will play Olathe South in the Spring Hill Invitational Basketball Tournament championship game on Friday. The game will tip off at 3:00 p.m. You can hear the game on 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio.