LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Junction City Blue Jays ended their 2020-2021 season Tuesday night, falling at the hands of Lawrence Free State High School, 53-42.
Junction City raced out to an early 14-5 lead, but the Firebirds would weather the storm and close the first half on a 17-4 run to lead 22-18 at halftime.
Offense was at a premium for both teams, with neither shooting the basketball particularly well, but just three days removed from one of its best shooting games of the season, JCHS would shoot just 15/54 and 4/24 from three point range.
Chris Dixon lead Junction City in scoring in his final game as a Blue Jay, scoring 18 points. Junior Howard Johnson would add in 12 more, but no other Jay would register double-figures.
Free State's Dash Cleveland would lead all scorers with 20 points in the contest.
Junction City ends their season at 9-12 on the year, seeing seniors Austin Smith, Javon George, and Chris Dixon end their Blue Jay careers in a tough fashion, falling at the hands of the 5th-ranked team in class 6A.
Free State advances to the Sub-State Finals on Friday night when they will host Washburn Rural, who defeated Manhattan 51-33.