By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
In a thrilling, down-to-the-wire game, the Junction City Lady Jay basketball team beat Lawrence Free State 49-47 on Tuesday night.
A fast-moving first quarter saw Junction City lead 13-10 after one, and then an offensive explosion led Junction City to a 31-16 lead at halftime.
The second half was a different story, with the Firebirds of Free State in full comeback mode. After Junction City took a 16-point, 38-22 lead, Free went on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 38-32 with one quarter to play.
The fourth quarter began with a Morgan Nabus layup for JC, and it was back and forth after that. The Firebirds began hitting from beyond the three-point line, and foul trouble nearly plagued Junction City.
Free State took a 44-43 lead over the Lady Jays with three minutes to play, but Junction City battled back and won the game with a final of 49-47.
The victory was the first for Lady Jay head coach Brianna Little and the first home victory for the girl's team in over a year.
Junction City was led in scoring by freshman Isabel Pruit, who had 10 points on the night. Fellow freshman A'niyah Henry-Rivers added nine, and so did junior Morgan Nabus.
With the win, the Lady Jays are 1-2 heading into the Christmas break.