By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
Friday night the Junction City Blue Jays and Lady Jays returned to the hardwood, hosting Shawnee Mission North.
Girl recap
Coming off their first home opener victory since 2017, the Junction City Lady Jays held their own against the Shawnee Mission North Bison early on. After falling behind 5-0, freshman A’niyah Henry-Rivers checked into the game and instantly provided a spark. She scored two quick baskets for the Lady Jays, cutting the lead to 5-4. The first quarter remained close, with the Bison leading 16-12 after one.
Things then fell apart for Junction City, which was outscored 18-2 in the second quarter and trailed 34-14 at halftime. The second half was the same story, as Shawnee Mission North led the whole way, beating Junction City 59-30.
Henry-Rivers led JC with 12 points, and senior Maiyaunss Harley added eight points.
With the loss, the Lady Jays fall to 1-3 on the season.
Boys recap
The Blue Jays remain undefeated after beating Shawnee Mission North 75-53 at Blue Jay Event Center.
A contested first quarter saw Junction City hit multiple three-pointers to close the first quarter. Senior Jeremias Cruz hit two threes, and fellow senior Jayden Mears hit another as time expired to give JC a 17-9 lead after one. The Blue Jays then took a 32-22 lead into halftime.
The third quarter featured a comeback by the Bison, who once trailed by 19 and cut the lead to nine before JC took a 52-40 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter featured seniors Larkin Turner and Jackson Austin taking over and cruising to victory, 75-53 over the Bison. For the third consecutive game, the Blue Jays emptied their bench and got all their varsity players in.
Turner and Austin scored 16 points, Lovell Autry and Ja’Twaan Williams added 11 each, and Jeremias Cruz scored 10.
With the win, the Blue Jays move to 5-0 on the season.
Next up for the Blue Jays and Lady Jays will be a trip to Washburn Rural on Tuesday night.