By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
The Junction City boys and girls varsity basketball teams hit the road on Friday night for their first of five straight road games. The Blue Jays and Lady Jays played at Topeka Hayden High School. The two teams split the doubleheader, with Hayden winning the girls game and Junction City winning the boys game.
Girls recap - Topeka Hayden 61, Junction City 23
The Wildcats of Topeka Hayden won the opening tip and jumped out to an early five-point lead, but Junction City was battling early. The Lady Jays had back-to-back baskets to cut the lead down to one, trailing 9-8. JCHS forced back-to-back turnovers but could not convert to take the lead. Hayden quickly responded and then ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run. The Wildcats led 19-8 at the end of the first quarter and then just poured it on for the rest of the game. Topeka Hayden won the game 61-23 and improved to 13-4 on the year.
*One of the bright spots for Junction City was sophomore Laniyah Warmack. She scored in double digits, leading the team with 10 points and several steals. Laniyah Warmack was named our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. (For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Laniyah receives a $20 free meal coupon voucher to Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 N. Washington St.)
Boys recap - Junction City 76, Topeka Hayden 56
Basketball is always referred to as a game of runs. That would accurately depict the first two minutes of the boys game on Friday night. Junction City junior Khaliel Walker scored the first five points of the game. Quickly, the Wildcats responded with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 5-5. Then again, Junction City responded with another 5-0 run to jump back in front, 10-5. The Blue Jays dominated the rest of first quarter, capped off with a right-wing three-pointer by Lovell Autry as time expired. The Blue Jays led 27-11 at the end of the first quarter.
In second-quarter action, Hayden came alive. Their senior big man (and KU football commit) Connor Hanika settled in, as well as their guards, who knocked down some three-pointers late in the first half to cut the deficit to single digits. Junction City quickly responded and led by 11, 34-23 at the half.
Third-quarter action is when the Blue Jays really took control. Senior guard Lovell Autry took over and scored several shots near the basket. Guard Jaycen Lanier and Jett Thompson both added three-pointers, and junior Brody Boeckman dominated the glass with several putbacks within four feet of the rim. JCHS led 60-39 after three quarters.
In the fourth, Junction City was able to put several young players in and mostly empty their bench. The Blue Jays won the game 76-56 and improved to 9-7 on the season. Four players scored in double digits. Autry had 20, Boeckman 15, and Walker and Thompson both added 11 points.
*Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was junior Khaliel Walker. He connected on three three-pointers and took two charges, along with playing great defense throughout the whole game. (For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Khaliel receives a $20 free meal coupon voucher to Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 N. Washington St.)
Both Junction City boys and girls teams will play at Emporia High on Tuesday.