By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
The Junction City Blue Jay and Lady Jay basketball teams traveled to Emporia High School on Tuesday night. The Spartans got the best of Junction City in both the girls and the boys games, sweeping the Blue Jays.
Girls recap - Emporia 48, Junction City 20
The Junction City Lady Jays won the opening tip, and sophomore Isabel Pruitt made a right-wing three-pointer to put JCHS up 3-0 just 15 seconds into the game. The Lady Jays came out stingy on the defensive end, forcing five straight turnovers by the Spartans. Unfortunately, Junction City could not take advantage and only led 5-3 four minutes into the game. Emporia settled in and led 12-7 at the end of the first quarter.
From that moment, the Lady Jays struggled on the offensive end. Their defense was great, but Junction City turned the ball over and could never get going in its half-court offense. The Spartans led 22-9 at halftime and then pulled away, winning 48-20.
*Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was sophomore Isabel Pruitt, who had the first five points of the game for Junction City. For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Isabel receives a $20 free meal coupon voucher from Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 N. Washington St.
Boys Recap - Emporia 50, Junction City 46
The Spartans of Emporia jumped out to an early 6-0 lead over Junction City two minutes into the game. The Blue Jays responded with five straight points and cut it to 6-5 with four minutes left in the opening quarter. Both teams stayed stingy on the defensive end, and Emporia led 12-7 at the end of the first quarter.
In second-quarter action, it was a very similar story — a defensive battle, with Junction City's best ball handlers and scorers on the bench in foul trouble. Both Lovell Autry and Khaliel Walker had two fouls early in the first half. JCHS hung in there on the defensive end and trailed 26-19 at the break.
The third quarter is when Junction City finally made its run. Lovell Autry and Brody Boeckman connected on several shots near the basket, and the Blue Jays outscored Emporia 13-5 in the first six minutes of the third quarter. JCHS had cut the deficit to two, trailing 34-32. Like any good team, Emporia went on its own run and got its lead back up to seven before JCHS made two free throws at the end of the quarter. After three quarters, the Spartans led 41-36.
Junction City again went on a run to begin the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to 44-41. Junction City junior Brody Boeckman converted on a layup and was fouled, giving him a chance to tie the game with 2:50 to go. Boeckman missed the free throw, and JC still trailed 44-43. On the next possession, Emporia nailed a three-pointer to extend it back to a two-possession game. The Blue Jays got a layup from Autry to cut it to two at 47-45 with 1:40 to play. Junction City then forced back-to-back turnovers on the defensive end. On the first offensive possession for JC, Khaliel Walker missed a corner three, and on the second possession, Lovell Autry drove into a crowded area of Spartans and could not get his layup to go. Junction City played the foul game, and Emporia hit two free throws with 18 seconds to go to lead 49-45. Then, on Junction City's possession, Autry was fouled on a three-pointer with 4.4 seconds to go. Autry made one of the three free throws, and JC trailed 49-46. Emporia made one of its two free throws on the other end and won the game 50-46.
The Spartans improve to 15-3, while Junction City falls to 9-8.
*Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was junior Brody Boeckman, who had 13 points in the game for Junction City. For being our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game, Brody receives a $20 free meal coupon voucher from Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 N. Washington St.
Junction City boys and girls basketball is back on the road this Friday at Washburn Rural High School. You can hear both games on 107.9 FM / 1420 AM KJCK Radio.