Lady Royals win in double OT

Monday-The Lady Royals improved to 4-0 against Milton (1-3) as Jay held their second home game of the season, 53-50. Milton jumped out on Jay early hitting a couple of threes as they raced to a 14-4 lead to end the first quarter. Jay was able to switch some things up defensively to stifle the Panther offense and only allowed the Panthers to score five points in the second quarter.

The third quarter saw both teams make a couple of small runs, but it was the Panthers that would extend their lead by two going into the fourth.

The much improved Panthers actually led the entire game until 2:29 left in the fourth when Jay took their first lead.

“Milton has a good squad and we had to battle a lot of adversity,” head coach Jorey Diamond stated after the game.

Jay was not able to hold on to the lead, however, and regulation ended in a 39-39 tie.

The first overtime was a defensive slugfest; ten total points were scored to send the game to double overtime.

By the second overtime, both squads were without pivotal starters as Gabi Wright for Milton had fouled out along with Aubreigh Nelson for Jay. Kaylee Gilbreath would hit a three early in the overtime period to give the Lady Royals the lead and Jay never would relinquish it. Hitting free throws down the stretch, Jay was able seal the deal and get their fourth win of the year.

“Great team win…Maddie Grimes came up big tonight defensively,” Diamond added.

Jay hosts Paxton tonight.

Presley Hawthorne lead the way for the Lady Royals with 14 while Aubreigh Nelson had 12.

JHS 4 12 11 12 5 9-53

MHS 14 5 13 7 5 6-50

(P. Hawthorne 14, A. Nelson 12, C. Baker 2, C. Gilbreath 8, H. Locklin 7, D. Locklin 2, M. Grimes 8)