Jay rallied for win

Twenty-five years ago this week, it took a rally for the Patriots to open their season with a win.

On Nov. 22, 1995, the Jay County High School boys basketball team overcame inconsistent play, using a 15-4 run to open the fourth quarter on the way to a 57-55 victory over the host Norwell Knights.

The Patriots trailed 44-38 heading into the final period. But a Matt Lingo short-range jumper followed by a Brian Bickel 3-pointer put them ahead by one with 5:39 to play. Norwell pulled back ahead, but Lingo, who finished with 13 points, turned in a conventional three-point play that put the visitors ahead for good.

The Knights kept the game tight in the final minute, closing to within 56-55 on a 3-pointer by Adam Thomas with five seconds left. But Bickel split a pair of free throws, and a running 3-point attempt by Norwell’s Jason Ealing, who led his team with 18 points, at the buzzer was wide of the mark.

Jay County had started the game strong, taking a four-point lead at the end of the opening period. But it was outscored 34-24 over the next two quarters.

Bickel’s 23 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, led the Patriots to the win. Lingo’s 13 points came as he went 6-of-8 from the field and made his only free-throw attempt. Junior Nathan Klatt matched Bickel with two 3-pointers as he scored eight points.