Patriots ranked 9th (12/02/2008)

INDIANAPOLIS - The voters are convinced.

A third victory over a ranked team - 48-40 over Class 3A No. 7 Norwell Friday - moved the Jay County High School girls basketball team into the top 10 for the first time this season. The Patriots are the No. 9 team in Class 4A in this week's Coaches of Girls Sports Association poll released Monday.

In rolling to a 6-0 record, Jay County has won by an average of more than 30 points per game. It had clobbered state-ranked Fort Wayne South Side (52-33) and Winchester (62-38).

The Patriots earned 25 points in this week's poll, four more than No. 10 Seymour (3-0) and two fewer than No. 8 Penn (5-1). Ben Davis (4-0) remained No. 1 with 149 points.

Jay County boasts the third largest average margin of victory (31.8) and fourth-best defensive average (33) in Class 4A. It will take its six-game win streak to open the season on the road tonight when it visits Bluffton (0-5).

EJ girls win 1st

WINCHESTER - East Jay Middle School's girls basketball teams each opened the 2008-09 season with victories Monday.

The eighth grade squad defeated host Driver 39-26, and the seventh graders won 29-25.

Lexie Gierhart racked up 15 points for the eighth grade Chiefs, who took control by shutting out Driver in the second quarter. Rachelle Jackson followed with eight points.

The seventh grade squad took command with an 11-3 third quarter. Caitlin Petro led the scoring effort with 13 points, and Katie Aker added eight.

Starfires victorious

BLUFFTON - The South Adams Middle School eighth grade girls basketball team overcame an early deficit for a 23-16 win over Bluffton.

The Starfires gave up the first three hoops of the game before outscoring Bluffton 23-10 the rest of the way for the win.

Bryanna Graat scored 12 points to lead SAMS and also had five rebounds. Kristen Muselman finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.

Eagles undefeated

DUNKIRK - West Jay Middle School's eighth grade girls basketball team stayed perfect on the season with a 34-22 win Monday over visiting Hartford City. The Eagle eighth grade team lost 25-13.

Betsy Huffman led the WJMS seventh graders (3-0) with 14 points. Ashley Motter also reached double figures with 10.

Taylor Franklin totaled 11 points for the eighth grade team, and Audrey Avey added the other two.[[In-content Ad]]