TOPEKA, Kan. — The Junction City High School basketball teams split their games at Topeka West Friday night.
The Lady Jays lead by as many as seven in the first half, but would trail 23-21 at halftime. In the second half, they would hold Topeka West to just 12 points, while forcing greater than 20 turnovers in the game.
The inside presence of Mellana Davis would prove to be too much for the Chargers, as she scored 19 points, pushing the Lady Jays to a 39-35 win.
The victory marks JC's 6th of the season, their most in a year since 2013.
On the boys side, a rough start with seven first quarter turnovers and poor defense allowed Topeka West to race out to a large lead, ballooning to as many as 27 in the first half, but JC would get within 20 at the break.
In the third quarter the Blue Jays came out with a vengeance, getting back to within as little as. six. points, but the Chargers showed why they are the 7th-ranked team in Class 5A, pushing back to a double-digit lead.
The Chargers would win 77-62, forcing Junction City's second consecutive loss. They're now 7-9 on the season.
Both teams will play Tuesday night, hosting the Emporia Spartans. Girls will tip at 6 p.m., and the boys around 7:45 p.m. from Shenk Gym.