Jay Teams Hand Bobcats First Losses of Season
Tuesday-It was a good night to be a Jay Royal as both the boys’ and girls’ teams beat rival and district foe Paxton. The Royals were unfriendly hosts as they sent the visiting Bobcats home with loses.
Girls
Paxton (6-1) came into Jay undefeated and had been pretty dominant through the season. Jay, now 5-0, too had not lost, but had several close, hard-fought games. On Tuesday, the Lady Royals looked determined from the tip, as they defeated Paxton 44-38. Jay jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first quarter. Carleigh Baker had eight first quarter points for Jay as the Lady Royals played suffocating defense, pressing Paxton every chance they got off made baskets.
Jay would outscore Paxton again in the 2nd quarter as the Lady Royals leaned heavy on good defense and on players off the bench. Early on, two of Jay’s starters were dealing with injuries and missed much of the first half. Darcy Locklin and Maddie Grimes both came in off the bench and helped steady the ship. Locklin would finish the night with 9 while Grimes would add 6. Junior Carleigh Baker would lead all scores with 17.
“Really proud of the team tonight and everyone that stepped up,” head coach Jorey Diamond stated after the game.
The Lady Royals offense struggled in the second half, scoring only seven in each of the 3rd and 4th quarters, but Paxton only could get within four during a fourth quarter run.
“Carleigh Baker had an outstanding night…not just scoring, but facilitating the game for others,” stated coach Diamond.
JHS 17 13 7 7-44
PHS 8 10 12 8-38
(A. Nelson 2, P. Hawthorne 5, C. Baker 17, G. Lewis 1, K. Gilbreath 4, D. Locklin 9, M. Grimes 6)
Boys
The Jay Royals (2-2) handed Paxton (3-1) their first loss of the season as Jay came out of halftime determined to get the win.
After trailing by one point in the first quarter, the Royals would take the lead by halftime to make the score 21-20. Shooters would show up in the third quarter for Jay, as Ethan Mcdonald would have two 3’s and Mason Allen would add one of his own.
The Royals defense buckled down and held Paxton to only 7 points in the fourth. Also, Jay would convert 10 free throws to points, missing only two in the quarter.
Ethan Mcdonald would lead all scores with 18, including four 3’s on the night.
JHS 9 12 10 15-46
PHS 10 10 8 7-35
(E. Mcdonald 18, S. Melvin 6, H. Morris 4, M. Allen 4, W. Peaden 4, T. Nowling 4, T. Mandell 5, M. Skipper 1)
