Patriots to meet Bearcats tonight

The Jay County boys basketball team (4-2) meets Muncie Central (6-2) at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Jay County Patriots
Portland, 4-2
Coach: Chris Krieg, first year
Conference: Allen County Athletic
Tuesday vs. Winchester: Winchester’s Kiante Enis made the game-winning layup with 0.9 seconds remaining to lift the Golden Falcons to a 37-36 victory. The senior had 16 of his game-high 18 points in the second half. Jay County, which took a one-point lead with 12 seconds remaining, wasn’t able to hang on for the win.?Jay Houck had a team-high 14 points for the Patriots, and Adam Dirksen added 10.
Season leaders (per game): Points — Houck 15.7, Dirksen 14.5, Jason Schlosser 5.2. Rebounds — Dirksen 7.5, Houck 6.2. Assists — Stigleman 2.5.

at

Muncie Central Bearcats
Muncie, 6-2
Coach: Jeff Holloway, second year
Conference: North Central
Dec. 22 vs. Fishers: Jamel Barnes scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter as Muncie Central beat Fishers, 78-66, after clinging to 49-48 lead to start the final period. The?Bearcats’ leading scorer Phillip Corthen had a team-high 25 points in support of Barnes, who had a pair of 3-pointers in the final eight minutes.
Season leaders (per game): Points — Corthen 14.8, Andre Jones 11.3, Donald Allen 10.8. Rebounds — Jones 9.6, Allen 5.4. Assists — Trenton Hatfield 2.6.

Last season: Key free throws from Justin Dirksen and Nick Clemens, as well as a shutout performance on defense during the fourth quarter gave Jay County a 43-40 overtime victory against Muncie Central for the Patriots’ third consecutive win against the Bearcats. Adam Dirksen and Jay Houck combined for 28 points, and the Patriots turned the ball over just six times offensively.
Game notes: This is the 40th meeting all-time between Jay County and Muncie Central, with the Bearcats holding a commanding advantage in the series with 32 victories. However, Jay County has won each of the last three contests ... The Patriots have only won twice in program history at Muncie Fieldhouse ... Tonight’s contest will feature one of the best offenses in the state against one of Indiana’s top defenses. Muncie Central’s 73.6 points per game ranks eighth in Class 4A and 13th overall, while Jay County’s defensive average of 39.2 points per game is fourth overall and second in Class 4A.