Jay Beats Pace

Saturday-The night started off in Jay with a special ceremony honoring the 1995 and 1996 back to back state champion Lady Royals.

Jay (16-2) avenged one of their only two losses on the year when they defeated Pace (11-11), 60-44. Earlier this month, Pace held on to defeat Jay 53-50 in a tight game with multiple lead changes. Saturday was a much different contest, however. Jay jumped out to quick lead and never looked back after the first quarter, as the Lady Royals attacked the rim and got to the free throw line making the most of their speed and athleticism. Jay went 22/34 from the charity stripe.

After falling behind early on, Pace chipped away at Jay’s lead as the first quarter ended in a 14-14 tie. Fellow sophomores Aubreigh Nelson and Presley Hawthorne caught fire for Jay in the second quarter though, as they combined to score 15 of Jay’s 19 points in the period. The Lady Royals’ defense held the Patriots to 11 in the second.
Pace’s offense was held to only seven third quarter points as Jay’s stingy defense smothered and contested many shots.
“I thought the last three quarters we played outstanding defense,” head coach Jorey Diamond said.

The Lady Royals crashed the boards all night as well, totaling 27 defensive rebounds, limiting Pace to many single-shot possessions. Jay out-scored Pace 27-19 in the second half to secure a true team win.
“Had great contributions from Carleigh (Baker) and Georgia (Lewis) and anytime you put 60 up against a quick, aggressive Pace team, you had a pretty good night,” Diamond said.

Aubreigh Nelson lead way for the Lady Royals with 16 while Presley Hawthorne added 14.

Up next for Jay is a trip to Milton on Tuesday, before hosting Central on Thursday then Baker on Friday.

JHS 14 19 13 14-60

BHS 14 11 7 12-44

(A Nelson 16, P Hawthorne 14, K Gilbreath 9, A Adams 7, C Baker 4, G Lewis 5, H Locklin 5)