Homestead holds off Jay

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FORT WAYNE — The Spartans were hot from the outside during the first half.

As they cooled down during the third quarter, the Patriots were able to get within two possessions.

But when the game transitioned into the fourth quarter, the home team heated up once again.

The Jay County High School basketball team scored 13 consecutive points to cut a double-digit deficit to down to four late in the third quarter, but the host Homestead Spartans resumed their stellar shooting during the fourth in a 61-49 victory Tuesday night

“They are a team that can shoot the ball extremely well,” said Jay County coach Chris Krieg, whose team fell to 12-8 after its second three-game losing streak this season. “They are quick. They are athletic.

“To be honest, I know we lost by 12 points today … I’m pleased.”

Krieg has a good reason for that feeling, too. The Spartans (17-3), who have now won six straight, came out shooting well. They were 7-of-12 from beyond the 3-point line in the first half, including a 4-of-6 effort in the first quarter to lead 16-9 after eight minutes.

Another barrage of long range shots in the second quarter — Homestead hit triples on three consecutive possessions — helped the Spartans to a 33-15 lead with a minute to play in the half.

Homestead’s Jake Archbold scored the first four points of the third quarter to put Homestead ahead 37-20, but that’s when they started to have difficulty hitting shots. The Spartans were 3-of-13 in the third quarter after going 10-for-24 during the first half.

Jay County meanwhile, began its 13-point run. Jay Houck — he finished with 17 points — scored five straight, then Jason Schlosser had a personal 8-0 run. He used his signature left baseline drive for two points, then hit back-to-back 3-pointers, one from each of the wings, to help Jay County trim the margin to 37-33.

“It’s a game of momentum,” Krieg said. “You’re always looking good when you’re making shots.”

Jay County again got within four, 40-36, early in the fourth quarter, but Homestead connected for threes on four straight possessions to open the game back up again and lead 52-39. Schlosser, who had a game-high 19 points, hit consecutive triples in the final minute.

“That is what Jason can bring to the table,” Krieg said. Schlosser made all five of his 3-point attempts, and also had a team-high six rebounds. “He can score from the outside, he can score from the inside. (He and Houck) complement each other really well and that’s what we need.”

But Tuesday night was about the Spartans and their shots from outside. Jack Ferguson, Onye Ezeakudo and Sam Buck each had three triples, and Parker Manges added the other two for Homestead.

“Those were contested threes, especially in the second half,” Krieg said.

Buck led the Spartans with 17 points, Ferguson had 14, Manges tallied 13 and Ezeakudo, who was averaging 1.8 points per game, scored 11.

“They had some kids step up,” said Krieg, whose team finishes the season with home games Friday against Norwell and Bellmont on Feb. 24. “I am pleased with our performance tonight.”



Junior varsity

Homestead scored 17 points in the first quarter and Jay County had a difficult time catching up in a 54-39 loss.

The Spartans jumped out to a 17-6 lead after seven minutes and took a 31-14 lead into halftime. The Patriots (12-6) cut into the deficit thanks to a 15-12 margin in the third quarter, but Homestead was able to keep the lead in tact during the final period.

Parker Grimes had a team-high 15 points to lead Jay County, which got seven points from Jordan Stultz and six points from Matt Franks. Korbin Auker chipped in four points, Gabe Faulkner added three and Xavier Ninde and Noah Arbuckle contributed two points each.

Freshman

Jay County saw its halftime lead disappear in the third quarter and couldn’t get it back in a 44-33 defeat.

The Patriots (5-10) led 8-5 after the first quarter and had a 13-11 advantage at halftime. The Spartans outscored the visitors 14-6 during the third period to lead 25-19 after three, and continued to create distance during the fourth quarter.

Brayden Sprunger was the lone Patriot to reach double figures as he finished with 10 points. Gabe Link and Gavin Lambert scored seven points each while Brian Williams tallied six points. Sheldon Upp added two points and Brinnin Wasson made one free throw