No. 10 JC earns fifth straight win (02/03/07)

Jay County got what might be called a run-of-the-mill win Friday night.

There was no huge lead, but not much suspense either.

The Class 3A No. 10 Patriots scored the first seven points of the game, never trailed and led by at least six points throughout the final 19 minutes of the game. But the lead was never more than 12 until the visiting Eastbrook Panthers started fouling in the final minutes of their 56-44 defeat.

The win was the fifth straight for Jay County, now 12-3, after suffering all three losses in a four-game stretch from Dec. 19 through Jan. 12.

"Our team knew we were going to have to step up, especially after two disappointing losses to Connersville and Centerville," said Patriot junior Clint Muhlenkamp, who nearly quadrupled his average to finish with 17 points. "We knew we were going to have to play our best going into sectional to make a big run this season."

Muhlenkamp was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field as he and senior Corey Comer dominated the paint for Jay County, combining for 32 points. He was also 7-of-8 from the field with four rebounds.

Comer shot 50 percent (4-of-8) from the field and also hit seven foul shots. He grabbed nine rebounds as he narrowly missed a double-double.

"Going in we really thought we could get some stuff in the post," said JCHS coach Craig Teagle. "It's not that we were bigger than them, but we were the same size they were and that doesn't happen very often. ... Offensively I thought we followed that pretty well."

Scott "Scooter" Bruggeman opened the game with a 3-pointer off an assist from Muhlenkamp, and Luke Goetz and Comer each added hoops for the 7-0 opening run.

Eastbrook (4-9) got within four points on several occasions, but never any closer.

Jay County pushed ahead by nine points at halftime and went ahead by 12 when Heath Rigby hit his second 3-pointer of the game early in the fourth quarter. The Panthers got back to within seven at 48-41 with 4:33 to play, but an 8-0 run by the Patriots followed to put the game away.

"We never could cut it below six," said Eastbrook coach Joel Roush. "That's to their credit. They're really good. I just thought our kids continued to fight and really did a good job tonight. I'm happy with our effort.

"They're just so solid defensively, and they just don't hurt themselves. They are who they are. ... You know what you're going to get and it's still really difficult to stop."

Jay County shot 16-of-32 for 50 percent from the field, including 5-of-12 (42 percent) from 3-point range. It also hit 19 free throws.

Bruggeman followed Comer with five rebounds and also had a team-high four assists.

Gus Olynger paced Eastbrook with 11 points in the defeat, and Nathan Felver joined him in double figures with 10. Mac Miller and Ryan Boucher each added eight points.

Olynger and Boucher had three assists, and Ryan Snyder grabbed five rebounds.

Despite the win, Teagle was disappointed with his team's overall effort - especially on the defensive end.

"I'd have to say if you just look at this season that's the least intensity I've seen from this group," he said. "I think that was my big disappointment. Obviously you want your team focused and intense every night, and I just didn't feel like we were tonight.

"We're going to have to clean up our play. We're going to have to play a lot better and with a lot more focus and intensity tomorrow night."

Junior varsity

Jay County dominated the second half as it pulled away from the Panthers for a 48-19 win.

Already up by eight at halftime, the Patriots outscored Eastbrook 11-3 in the third quarter. They added a 19-6 advantage in the fourth as they improved to 12-3.

Aaron Daniels racked up 15 points to lead Jay County, and Kyle Simmons joined him in double figures with 10. Zack Hummer added eight points.

Phil Wood was the high scorer for the Panthers with seven points, and Jacob Fisher finished with five.[[In-content Ad]]