Jay to host Tigers

Jay County Patriots
Portland, 12-3 (4-1)
Coach: Craig Teagle, 17th year
Conference: Allen County Athletic
Saturday vs. Southern Wells: Jay County held Southern Wells to just three points in the first half, destroying the visiting Raiders 66-27, its biggest win of the season. Justin Dirksen and Jay Houck led the Patriots with 13 and 12 points respectively, and junior big man Adam Dirksen added 10.
Season leaders (per game): Points — Adam Dirksen 11.9, Jay Houck 11.3, Justin Dirksen 7.9. Rebounds — Adam Dirksen 4.8, Justin Dirksen 4.1. Assists — Zach Pryor 3.4.

vs.

Bluffton Tigers
Bluffton, 11-4 (4-0)
Coach: Kevin Leising, sixth year
Conference: Allen County Athletic
Tuesday at Wabash: Despite a poor shooting performance from its guards, Bluffton came away from Wabash with a  61-44 victory over the host Apaches. Josh Moriarity’s double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds)?paced the?Tigers, and Aaron Sturgeon matched Moriarity with 17 points.
Season leaders (per game): Points — Prible 13.5, Kevin Moser 12.7, Aaron Sturgeon 10.3. Rebounds — Moriarity 6.4, Prible 5.7. Assists — Prible 4.5.

Last meeting: A stellar defensive effort by Jay County’s defense helped the Patriots to a 49-30 victory Jan. 14 in the ACAC tournament semifinal. Bluffton was just 3-of-14 from the field in the middle two quarters. Jay Houck poured in 17 points to match his career high, and Justin?Dirksen added 12 points.

Game notes: This is the 21st meeting between?Jay County and Bluffton, with the Patriots holding a 16-4 advantage. Jay County won 12 straight from 1979-90 before the series took a 20-year hiatus ... The Patriots are No. 1 in the state in defensive average, giving up slightly more than 33 points per game ... Bluffton has won back-to-back games against Adams Central and Wabash since the loss to Jay County in the ACAC?tournament ... The Patriots are one win away from securing their 14th consecutive winning season under coach Craig Teagle.