Patriots will face Tigers Friday

Jay County Patriots

Portland, 3-3 (2-0)

Coach: Jerry Bomholt, fifth year (40th overall)

Jan. 9 vs. Adams Central: Sophomore Josh Dowlen had a career-high 24 points in leading Jay County past Adams Central 58-50. Dowlen scored eight points during the Patriots’ 15-point effort in the first quarter. Ethan Dirksen finished with 12 points and Bennett Weitzel had seven points.

Season leaders (per game): Points — Ethan Dirksen 14.0, Bennett Weitzel 9.8, Josh Dowlen 7.5. Rebounds — Bennett Weitzel 6.8, Dirksen 6.7. Assists — Ethan Dirksen 3.8.

vs.

Bluffton Tigers

Bluffton, 6-6 (2-0)

Coach: Karl Grau, first year

Conference: Allen County

Tuesday vs. Wabash: Bluffton led Wabash after each of the first three quarters and held off a late surge for a 68-62 victory. Bluffton’s Hayden Nern scored 33 points to lead the Tigers, and Will Ball added 12 points.

Season leaders (per game through eight games): Points — Hayden Nern 18.4, Will Ball 5.9, Harrison Shreiber 5.3 Rebounds — Hayden Nern 5.9, Will Ball 3.1. Assists — Lukas Hunt 3.5.

Last season: Jay County’s offense fizzled after a hot start in the first quarter of a 34-28 road loss to Bluffton. The?Patriots scored 14 points in the opening period and just 14 points through the final three. Brayden Sprunger led the Patriots with 10 points, and Ethan Dirksen had eight points.

Game notes: This is the 18th meeting all time between Jay County and Bluffton, and Jay County leads the series 14-3 ... The Patriots and?Tigers have identical 2-0 records in Allen County Athletic Conference play, and they are tied for second behind Heritage (3-0) ... Jay County has a Sagarin rating of 59.94, which is 66th in Class 3A and 234th overall. Bluffton is rated 54.62, good for 65th in Class 2A and 277th overall ... John Harrell’s website predicts Jay County to win, 55-45.