Patriots roll to win over Woodlan

WOODBURN — The Patriots cruised to a double-digit win in its first league game of the season. Their second Allen County Athletic Conference contest was even more lopsided.
Jay County High School’s girls basketball team limited the host Woodlan Warriors to eight points in the second half Friday, rolling to a 54-24 victory.
After building a nine-point halftime lead, the Patriots (6-0, 2-0 ACAC) exploded to outscore Woodlan 18-4 in the third period. They did it with a balanced attack led by six points from Shelby Caldwell in the period. Abby Wendel and Hannah Ault each contributed four points.
Wendel reached double figures for the fifth time in her senior season as she carried the offense early. Ten of her game-high 16 points came in the opening period.
Ava Kunkler added eight points for Jay County, which has yet to lose an ACAC regular season or tournament game in two seasons. Ault followed with seven points, and Britlyn Dues and Caldwell each finished with six.
The Patriots were especially good from the foul line, where they finished 11-of-13 with Kunkler going 4-for-5 and Taylor Homan, Wendel and Dues each hitting both of their attempts.
Kenzie Salzbrenner was the only consistent offensive threat for the Warriors (4-5, 0-1 ACAC), who got half of their 24 points at the foul line. She finished with 12 points, all but two of which came before the intermission.
Samantha Houser added four points.

Junior varsity
Jay County turned in a shutout third quarter on the way to a 50-15 victory over the Warriors.
The Patriots (6-0) were in control throughout, taking a 14-2 lead after the first quarter. They extended the advantage to 23 at the half and then put up 17 points in the third quarter while blanking Woodlan.
Klarisa Hemmelgarn and Hanna Dillon each had eight points for JCHS, with Audrey Shreve right behind them with seven. Gwen Omstead finished with four points, and Sam Twigg and Kendal Garringer added four apiece.
Taylor Sarrazine scored six points to pace the Warriors.