Jay rolled in home opener

Twenty-five years ago this week, the Patriots rolled to victory in its home opener.

The Nov. 14, 1998, edition of The Commercial Review featured coverage of the Jay County High School girls basketball team’s 71-16 victory over the visiting Muncie Southside Rebels.

Despite making some mistakes in the form of turnovers, the Patriots (2-0) rolled out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and scored the opening hoop of the second quarter.

“We came out in the first quarter and the goal was to shut them out in the first quarter and we did that,” said JCHS coach Lea Selvey. “We knew if we jumped on them early they’d fold.”

Cassie Golden scored eight of the Patriots’ first 23 points on the way to a game-high 17. Kerri McClung joined her in double figures with 10 points as 12 of the 13 Jay County players scored.

McClung added eight rebounds and Stacey Muhlenkamp totaled four assists.

The Patriots’ lead expanded to 49 points at the end of the first quarter. (Their largest advantage was 57 before Muncie Southside scored the game’s final two points.)

“It’s an easy win, but it’s difficult to look good,” Selvey. “it’s tough to get any continuity going with all the kids going in and out. We spent more time bringing kids in and out and keeping them fresh for tomorrow. But for the circumstances, I’m pleased.”

Selvey said that the reality of the week of practice was that it was focused on a game the following night against Richmond.

“In all honesty, the girls know that’s not a real strong team,” he said of Southside. “We’ve actually been preparing for Richmond all week. I thought we should put all of our eggs in one basket and get ready for Richmond.)