By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
Junction City and Washburn Rural met for the third time this season, and a trip to the 6A state tournament was on the line. Similar to the first two meetings, the game went down to the wire, with the Junior Blues holding on to win 54-49.
The first quarter featured Washburn Rural leading 9-4 early in the game. Junction City's defense locked in, and shots started falling with the Blue Jays going on a 7-0 run to end the quarter and leading 11-10 after one.
In the second quarter, both teams settled in on the offensive end, with several lead changes. The Junior Blues led for most of the quarter and took a 23-21 halftime lead.
Both teams began making shots in the third quarter, and it was the Blue Jays that led 37-31 after back-to-back three-pointers by seniors Jeremias Cruz, and Jackson Austin. Washburn Rural responded with their own run, going on a 10-4 run to end the quarter, and the game was tied at 41 heading into the fourth quarter.
With eight minutes to go, and the season on the line, the Junior Blues edged ahead, leading by six, 49-43 with 4:35 to go in the game. Junction City responded again, cutting the deficit to two, at 49-47. With less than a minute to go, Rural led 52-49. After a missed free throw by the Junior Blues, JC had a chance. Head coach Nick Perez called a timeout with 14 seconds to go. The Blue Jays failed to execute the play and turned it over with seven seconds to go. The Junior Blues made their free throws and won 54-49. This is their third time beating Junction City this year.
Junction City was led in scoring by senior Jackson Austin with 12 points, seniors Jeremias Cruz and Larkin Turner both added 10. Senior Ja'Twaan Williams scored nine points, and Lovell Autry, Brody Boeckman, Isaiah Handy, and Jayden Mears each added two points.
The Blue Jays finished the year at 14-8. There were nine seniors on the team.
For Washburn Rural, the Junior Blues will play in the 6A State Tournament next week in Wichita.