By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
In a battle of two undefeated teams in class 6A West, the Derby Panthers beat the Junction City Blue Jays 67-57 in the semifinals at the 82nd annual Dodge City Tournament of Champions.
The Blue Jays got off to another sluggish start on Friday, falling behind to the Panthers and committing six first-quarter turnovers. Derby led JC 13-11 after the first quarter.
Much like Thursday's game against Bishop Caroll, the second quarter was better for Junction City, but shots kept falling for the Panthers, and Derby led by five, 31-26 at halftime.
In the third quarter, both teams went on several runs, and the game remained in reach for Junction City, trailing 42-39 after three quarters.
After trailing all game, and by nine at one point in the second half, the Blue Jays went on a run and took their first lead at 53-51 midway through the fourth quarter. Junction City senior Larkin Turner made the go-ahead basket and then, was quickly assessed a technical foul. Derby capitalized on the opportunity, made both free throws off the technical foul, tied the game, and turned it into a 12-0 run, to lead 63-53 late in the game. Junction City never recovered and lost their first game of the season by a final score of 67-57.
Two Blue Jay players were in double digits for the semifinal game. Senior Larkin Turner finished with 16 points, and senior Jackson Austin finished with 11 points.
Junction City falls to 8-1 on the season and will play Wichita Heights (10-1) on Saturday in the third-place game at 4:00 p.m.
You can hear the game on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK Radio.