By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
In a matchup of two one-loss teams, the Wichita Heights Falcons beat the Junction City Blue Jays 72-57 on Saturday afternoon at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City in the third-place game in the Tournament of Champions.
Wichita Heights won the opening tip, but Junction City jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. The first quarter was very tight, and the score was tied at 14 after one.
In the second quarter, the Falcons gained momentum and at one point led by seven, but Junction City finished the half on a shot at the buzzer by junior Lovell Autry, which cut the Heights lead to 30-27 at halftime.
In the second half, Heights used their height to their advantage, towering over Junction City. The Falcons had four players on their roster who were at least six feet four inches tall.
Junction City battled and kept it close after three, but Heights led by twenty points in the fourth quarter and beat JC 72-57.
In the game, Junction City had two players in double-digits. Senior Ja’Twaan Williams scored 15 points, and senior Larkin Turner added 11.
The Blue Jays finished fourth in the Dodge City Tournament of Champions and fall to 8-2 on the season.
Next up for Junction City is another top-tier opponent. The Blue Jays play at Blue Valley Northwest on Tuesday night.
In the Dodge City Tournament of Champions, Derby placed first, Kansas City Piper second, Wichita Heights third, Junction City fourth, Maize South fifth, Bishop Carroll sixth, Andover Central seventh, and Dodge City eighth.