By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
The Emporia High Spartans swept the Junction City boys and girls basketball teams on Friday night at Junction City High School inside the Nest.
Girls recap Emporia 36, Junction City 26
In the girls matchup, Junction City senior Kalia Riley made a three-pointer to begin the game, and the Lady Jays jumped out to an early lead. JCHS sophomore Laniyah Warmack then scored the next two baskets, and the Lady Jays trailed 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.
In second-quarter action, not much happened for either side. Junction City sophomore Isabel Pruitt made a three-pointer right before halftime, and the Lady Jays trailed 14-10 at the break.
In the second half, neither team could really get going. Defense was the story of the game. Emporia led 28-17 after the third period and held on to win the game. The final score was 36-26 in favor of the Spartans.
Junction City finished the year at 2-20 and 0-10 in Centennial League play.
All five seniors were honored after the game. They are: Breya Allen, Morgan Nabus, Nevaeh Rushing, Kalia Riley, and Ava Uhlman.
Boys recap - Emporia 71, Junction City 65
In boys action, this one was a stunner. Junction City led for most of the game, but the Spartans pulled through, ending the game on a remarkable run.
Emporia’s Harrison Trelc made the first basket of the game on a mid-range jumper, and the two teams then traded baskets back and forth throughout the rest of the quarter. It featured a game of runs, as Emporia went on a 10-2 run, and the Blue Jays countered with a 12-2 run. At the end of the first quarter, JCHS led 19-16.
In second-quarter action, it was very evenly matched, as neither team scored much and the defenses really settled in. The Blue Jays outscored the Spartans 8-6 in the quarter, and JCHS led 27-22 at halftime.
In third-quarter action, it certainly seemed as if Junction City were cruising. The Blue Jays started the half on a 15-5 run and led by 15 at 42-27. They then led 50-35 before Emporia hit a corner three at the buzzer to end the third period.
The Spartans certainly used the buzzer-beating three to spark them. EHS started the fourth quarter on an 11-4 run and trailed 54-49. Emporia cranked up their defensive press and gave Junction City fits. The Spartans tied the game at 58 with three minutes to go. The two teams went back and forth, neither able to get a stop down the stretch. The game was tied at 65 with one minute to go, and then Emporia hit a huge three to take the lead. EHS made their free throws down the stretch and won the game 71-65, sweeping Junction City on the season.
Emporia improves to 16-7 on the year, while Junction City falls to 12-10.
The Blue Jays honored all three seniors prior to the game: Lovell Autry, Jackson Hollie, and Jett Thompson.
Junction City is the #6 seed in 6A West and will host #11 seed Dodge City on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.