JCHS girls rolled to victory

The Patriots and Starfires were competing on the hardwood long before they became conference rivals in the 2014-15 season.

Thirty years ago this week, the Jay County High School girls basketball team used a balanced scoring effort, solid shooting and strong defense in beating South Adams 68-30 on Dec. 6, 1988.

Jay County raced out to a 12-4 advantage in the first quarter and built on its lead as it went into halftime ahead 29-14. The third quarter was the best offensively for the Patriots, who blew up for 22 points while keeping the Starfires to just eight in the period. The 51-22 lead with one quarter remaining was enough of a cushion, but Jay County had a 17-12 margin in the fourth for good measure.

Michelle Warwick led all players with 16 points, and Luanna Detro followed with 15 points. Tracy Enyart, who stepped into the starting lineup a few games earlier following an injury to Tracy Nixon, joined them in double figures with 14 points one game after pouring in a career-best 17 points. Lea McKee contributed 11 points to give Jay County four players in double figures. The Patriots shot 48 percent from the field.

“That’s the greatest thing … the versatility and balance we’ve had,” Jay County coach John Engle told The Commercial Review.

To that point, seven different players had scored in double figures at least once, with Nixon being the only starter to not achieve the feat.