The Junction City High School boys and girls basketball teams were back in action Tuesday night following Christmas break. Both teams hosted the Washburn Rural Junior Blues at Junction City School. Washburn Rural got the sweep, winning both the girls and boys varsity games.
Girls recap - Washburn Rural 68, Junction City 32
The Washburn Rural Junior Blues jumped out to an early lead thanks to a stellar start from #3 Ella Hirschi, who connected on her first five three-pointers. Hirschi had 16 points in the first quarter, and Washburn Rural led 23-8 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Junior Blues extended their lead , but the highlight of the half came on the last shot of the half for JCHS. Junction City sophomore Laniyah Warmack stole the ball away from Rural, and passed it to fellow sophomore Isabel Pruitt who hit a right-wing three pointer at the buzzer to end the first half. At halftime, Washburn Rural led 45-17.
In the second half, Washburn Rural continued their strong performance and won the game 68-32.
Junction City sophomore Aniyah Henry-Rivers had a really strong performance on both ends of the floor. Henry-Rivers scored 10 second-half points along with several blocks and rebounds. She finished the game with 15 points and was our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game. (For being our Blu Restaurant player of the game, Aniyah Henry-Rivers receives a free meal of up to $20. Blu Restaurant located at 602 N. Washington St. in Junction City).
Junction City (1-5) will now play at Derby in girls only action this Thursday.
Boys - Washburn Rural 50, Junction City 45
Washburn Rural won the opening tip, but Junction City scored the first basket of the game. Junior Brody Boeckman backed his way in and put the Blue Jays out to an early lead. JC led 6-2, but then Washburn Rural came alive. The Junior Blues went on a 16-2 run and led 17-8, before Junction City senior Lovell Autry hit a deep three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first quarter. Rural led 17-11 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, JCHS had several opportunities to take the lead, but never did and Rural extended their lead to 26-20. The Blue Jays fought back and cut it to two once again, but Rural answered and led by four, 29-25 at the half.
The Washburn Rural Junior Blues started the second half on a 5-0 run, and led 34-25, which was tied for their largest lead of the game at nine. Junction City's Trevon Briley scored at the basket with 4:35 to go in the third, which was the first points JC scored in the third quarter. Defenses continued to lead the way in the third quarter with minimal scoring, and the Junior Blues led 39-33 after three quarters.
In fourth quarter action, Washburn again stretched their lead to nine at 42-33 with five minutes to go, but Junction City was not ready to go away. The Blue Jays buckled in defensively and forced four turnovers down the stretch, capped off by a transition three-pointer by senior Lovell Autry. JC trimmed the lead to 48-45 with 51 seconds to go. On the next possession, Rural missed a baseline floater, but a foul was called. Zach Wright went one-of-two at the foul line and the Junior Blues led 49-45 with 20.5 seconds to go. Junction City had several opportunities to cut the deficit, but the shots would not go down. Rural added one more free throw and beat Junction City 50-45 to open Centennial League play.
Junction City's Jaycen Lanier was named our Blu Restaurant player of the game. Lanier made two three-pointers and had a season-high six points. (For being our Blu Restaurant player of the game, Jaycen Lanier receives a free meal of up to $20. Blu Restaurant located at 602 N. Washington St. in Junction City).
The Blue Jays fall to 4-3 on the year and host Manhattan next Tuesday, January 13.
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Girls action - Junction City (1-4) hosts Washburn Rural (4-2). Tip-off at 6:00 p.m. You can watch the Livestream of the game put on by BlueJayMedia by clicking here.
Boys action - Junction City (4-2) hosts Washburn Rural (5-2). Tip-off will be around 7:30 p.m. following the girls game. You can watch the Livestream of the game put on by BlueJayMedia by clicking here.