Patriots fall to Cadets in OT

FORT WAYNE — The Patriots stayed close with the Cadets throughout.

A small deficit turned into a lead, then disappeared at the end of regulation.

The Patriots weren’t able to finish out front.

Jay County High School’s girls basketball team had its six-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday with a 49-48 overtime loss to the host Concordia Cadets.

The Patriots (8-7) trailed by one after the first quarter and by two at half before taking a 32-30 lead into the fourth quarter. The final period saw both teams have their best scoring output of the night, but the Class 3A No. 7 Cadets (13-3) posted a 16-14 advantage to force overtime.

In the extra period, the Patriots managed just two points as they weren’t able to run off seven straight wins for the fifth consecutive season.

Shelby Caldwell finished with 19 points and nine rebounds to lead the Patriots. Hannah Phillips was second on the team with 12 points.

Jay County’s junior varsity team won, 36-22. Grace Saxman led the scoring with nine points, and Pacie Denney was second with eight points.

Stars struggle

DECATUR — The South Adams girls basketball team allowed more points in the first quarter than they scored in four in a 60-18 loss Wednesday to host Bellmont.

The Starfires (8-8) fell behind Bellmont (14-1), which finished 11th in the most recent Class 3A poll, by a 19-6 margin in the first quarter. At half, Bellmont pushed the advantage to 33-10 before continuing to put distance between it and South Adams in the third quarter. The home squad held a 15-5 advantage in scoring during the third for a commanding 48-15 lead heading to the final period.

Emilee Myers led the Starfires with six points. Lydia Loshe and Kelsa Ortiz tallied three points apiece.

Bellmont’s Kenzie McMahon led all players with 15 points, and Grace Hunter was close behind with 13. Meghan Busick chipped in 11 points in support of her teammates.

South Adams’ junior varsity team also lost, 40-23. Carlie Sealscott finished with 11 points to lead the Starfires. Makayla Hamrick totaled five points.