The Blue Jays have finally won another game in The Nest, in an overtime thriller against the Hayden Wildcats. This seemed to be a very winnable game for the Blue Jays as they continue in pursuit of finishing the closing season with a winning record.

Following a three game losing streak, Junction City was able to capture a victory on the road against the Topeka Trojans 56-50, a team very similar to Hayden. Hayden however came in after winning four of their last six games.

The first quarter for both teams was a slow beginning offensively, both teams unable to reach double digits due to turnovers but the game plans for both teams were clear. JC was running its offense through its star backcourt in T.J. Poole and Ricardo Erans. Hayden however, every play down had the mentality of feeding their post players in hopes of double teams. At the end of the first quarter, JC was down just one point at 8-9.

In the second quarter both offenses began to come alive as Hayden was forcing the ball down low to their post players whom of which were extremely fundamentally sound. Hayden’s bigs were able to easily get to the basket when found cutting to the basket and in isolation plays within 15 feet. On the other hand, Junction’s backcourt play was able to keep them in the game led by T.J. Poole.

The second quarter featured six lead changes before the near end when Hayden had pulled away to finish off the half. The halftime score was just 22-26.

To start off the second half, Junction City had a clear defensive plan of denying Hayden’s bigs the ball. Poole and Erans both came out firing, combining to score the first 13 JC points of the third quarter.

Throughout the second half was 13 lead changes up until 59 seconds remaining when Hayden was up 44-46. T.J. Poole was able to draw a shooting foul near the basket giving himself the opportunity to tie the game with his upcoming free throws. As the gym went dead silent, Poole was able to knock down both clutch free throws to tie up the game. Both teams missed their last shots in their final possessions which took the game to overtime, tied 46-46.

The overtime period belonged to Junction City, in particular the dominant backcourt of T.J. Poole and Ricardo Erans. Erans and Poole were the majority of the Blue Jays offense in OT, four to Erans and nine to Poole. The opposition however, choked in both the final regulation minutes along with overtime, scoring only six points in the final five minutes of the game.

Poole’s big night, scoring 27 points, along with JC’s clutch defensive stops at the end of the game brought the Blue Jays to victory. The final score was 64-52.