JC blasts Eastbrook

MARION - While snow was piling up in the area Friday, the Patriots were burying the Eastbrook Panthers with an avalanche of points.

Jay County High School's boys basketball team brought a resounding end to its three-game losing streak, clobbering the host Panthers 60-27.

The Patriots (8-6), who had scored fewer than 40 points in three of their previous seven games, needed only a half to surpass that mark against Eastbrook. They were up by eight after the first quarter, and built a 41-17 advantage at halftime.

JCHS limited the Panthers (2-12) to just four third-quarter points on the way to the 33-point victory. It was the second-highest scoring total of the year for the Patriots, who beat South Adams 67-34 on Dec. 12.

Brad Horn set the scoring pace for Jay County with 18 points. The team shot 60 percent from the field (26-of-43) and 55 percent from long distance (6-of-11).

Seniors Eric Homan and Josh Beaty joined their classmate in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively.

Bryce Marsee was the high scorer for Eastbrook with seven points. Nathan Givens added six points for the Panthers, who just 9-fo-25 (36 percent) for the game and 2-of-13 (15 percent) in the second half.

For Jay County, the game marked the fifth time this season it has held an opponent to 40 points or fewer. It ranks sixth in Class 4A with a defensive average of 44.3 points per game.

The Patriots had dropped consecutive games to Class 3A No. 7 Mississinewa, Anderson Highland and Class 2A No. 7 Winchester since their last win at home over Centerville Jan. 23.

Junior varsity

Jay County built a lead in the second quarter on the way to a 32-21 victory over the Panthers.

The Patriots trailed by two after the first quarter, but outscored Eastbrook 11-4 in the second.

Drew Houck was the lone JCHS player in double figures as he finished with 12 points. Cade Price added eight points.[[In-content Ad]]