Jay blasts UCHS (02/25/06)

The Patriots combined to score 94 points Friday night. The home group did most of the work.

In a game that was never close, the host Jay County Patriots clobbered the visiting Union County Patriots 70-24.

The victory sent Jay County seniors Tyler Rigby, Zac Green, Randy Evans and John Retter out on a high note, and made the squad 8-2 on its home floor this season. It also completed a 5-0 run against Tri-Eastern Conference opponents — games won by an average of 25.2 points per contest.

The 14-6 overall record marked the best regular-season finish in a decade. The 1995-96 team posted the same record, then won four tournament games before falling 52-51 to Anderson in the regional championship game.

“I’m happy for the kids. The game’s all about them,” said JCHS coach Craig Teagle, whose squad’s record may have been even better if not for mid-season injuries and illnesses which likely cost it a couple of wins. “They’re only here for so long and then they move on. ... I enjoy the fact that each group of kids has some way to make their mark. ... I’m very proud of the kids.

“Obviously it was a good win on Senior Night. It’s a nice way to send the seniors out.”

Jay County outscored Union County by double digits in each of the first three quarters, leading 18-6 at the end of the first. A 13-0 run bridging the first two quarters put them up by 17, and another 10 straight points in the second had them ahead by 28 at the half.

Union County (9-11) had as may turnovers as points — 12 — in the first half, and the trend continued after the break. It took a Kyle Walton hoop in the final minutes to lift the point total above the number of give-aways as it finished with 22 turnovers.

The visiting Patriots shot just 10-of-35 (29 percent) for the game, with Michael Sustarsic, Derek Hill and Joseph Dare sharing the team-high of five points.

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“We happened to hit a team that was very flat tonight,” said Teagle. “They missed some shots early and just took themselves out of the game. ... They just kind of got back on their heels and struggled the rest of the game.”

And Teagle said he was happy his players didn’t let down after grabbing the early lead. They posted 22 points in the second quarter and 20 in the third while keeping their defensive intensity high before slowing down the game and going heavily to the bench in the final period.

Junior point guard Scott “Scooter” Bruggeman sparked the hot start as he had four points, five rebounds, three assists and a block in the opening period. He matched Retter with a game-high 13 points, and had game highs of six rebounds and four assists.

Rigby added 11 points, Corey Comer reached double figures with 10 and Green scored nine. Retter and Comer each grabbed five rebounds, and Rigby added four. Rigby, Retter and Comer also had three assists apiece.

With its best season in recent memory now in the record books, Jay County turns its attention to trying to win a third sectional title in four seasons. It will open tournament play at Blackford Tuesday against the Elwood Panthers at 7:30 p.m.

“Elwood’s going in with the same chances that we have to win that sectional,” said Teagle, whose team beat the Panthers 65-38 in the season opener. “Our sectional is wide open. We’re going to have to be really focused and give it our best effort. If we can play smart with our effort then we should be a hard team to beat.”

Junior varsity

Jay County was up by double digits for most of the second half in a 52-35 victory over Union County.

The host Patriots were by six at the half, then out-scored the visiting Patriots 10-3 in the third quarter. They limited Union County to just eight second-half points.

Billy Wellman and Heath Rigby shared the team-high of 10 points for Jay County. Adam Garringer and Casey Waters each added nine points as the team finished at 11-9.

Ryan Gray scored 11 points for Union County, and Ryan Logue added 10.[[In-content Ad]]