Patriots to square off against Bearcats

Jay County Patriots

Portland, 4-4

Coach: Chris Krieg, third year

Conference: Allen County

Dec. 19 vs. Winchester: Jay County struggled to defend but made enough on offense to beat Winchester, 42-35. Cole Stigleman had a career-high 15 points, and Michael Schlechty joined him in double figures with 12 points. The Patriots held off a 21-point effort from Winchester’s Boo Enis.

Season leaders (per game): Points — Michael Schlechty 10.9, Cole Stigleman 10.5, Ryan Schlechty 6.4. Rebounds — Wyatt Geesaman 5.1, M. Schlechty 4.1. Assists — R.?Schlechty 2.8.



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Muncie Central Bearcats

Muncie, 1-6

Coach: Chandler Thompson, first year

Conference: North Central

Dec. 21 vs. Fishers: Muncie Central put up a fight in the second half but fell to the Fishers Tigers 62-56. The?Bearcats had just six points after the first quarter but outscored the Tigers 37-25 in the final 16 minutes. Christian Wells led MCHS with 18 points and Victor Young chipped in 12 points. It was the fifth loss in a row for MCHS.

Season leaders (per game through six games): Points — Christian Wells 13.5, Damarius Pegues 12.0, Victor Young 9.5. Rebounds — Wells 6.3, Lamar Atkins 4.0. Assists — AJ Wright 2.5.



Last season: Jay County and Muncie Central met twice last season, splitting the series. The Patriots won during their scheduled matchup, a 54-47 overtime victory Dec. 30, but lost to the Bearcats 40-36 in the sectional opener two months later. Cole Stigleman and JCHS made 13-of-17 free throws in the fourth quarter or later in the overtime win, and Jay County’s leading scorer Jay Houck was limited with a sore ankle and foul trouble during the sectional matchup.

Game notes: The game will be played at Muncie Southside Middle School, 1601 E. 26th St., the site of the former Southside High School, as the Muncie Fieldhouse sustained damages during the November tornadoes that rocked the area ... This is the 43rd meeting all time between Muncie Central and Jay County, with the Bearcats holding a 34-8 edge in the series. The Patriots, however, have won four of the last six meetings, including the regular-season contest a year ago ... Jay County averages 43.6 points per game, and its defensive average of 39.0 is ninth overall and second in Class 4A. Muncie Central scores 55.4 points per game and allows 65.3 points per game. John Harrell’s website predicts Muncie Central as four-point favorites, 62-58.