By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
On Thursday night in Junction City, the Blue Jays defeated St. James Academy, the No. 6-ranked team in Class 5A, by a final score of 59–52.
St. James Academy opened the scoring with a three-pointer, but the Blue Jays responded quickly with a three of their own from junior Khaliel Walker. Junction City and the Thunder traded baskets throughout the first quarter, with junior big man Trevon Briley leading JC with eight points. The first quarter ended on a highlight for JC, as junior Brody Boeckman threw down a two-handed dunk. The Blue Jays led 18–17 at the end of the first quarter.
Junction City carried that momentum into the second quarter, extending its lead to 10 points at 31–21. The Blue Jays took a 33–25 advantage into halftime after senior point guard Lovell Autry scored on a layup right at the buzzer.
The Blue Jays opened the third quarter strong with back-to-back baskets from Boeckman, who scored on a layup and then knocked down a corner three-pointer in front of the Junction City student section. That surge gave Junction City a 13-point lead, and the Blue Jays later stretched it to their largest lead of the night at 44–30. Junction City led 46–35 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, the Blue Jays again extended the lead to 14, but St. James Academy refused to go away. The Thunder cut the deficit to seven points with under a minute remaining. However, Junction City held on, as Autry knocked down two clutch free throws down the stretch to secure the 59–52 victory.
With the win, Junction City improves to 5–4 on the season, while St. James Academy falls to 7–3.
Our Blu Restaurant Player of the Game was junior big man Trevon Briley, who scored eight points in the first quarter. As Player of the Game, Briley receives a $20 meal coupon from Blu Restaurant in Junction City, located at 602 North Washington Street.
The Blue Jays are back in action Friday night, hosting Topeka High. The girls tip off at 6 p.m., with the boys game to follow at 7:30 p.m.