Rinse and repeat

As the Patriot faithful nestled into the bleachers for Thursday’s contest, they could have been forgiven for trying to find the footrest or grasping for a bucket of popcorn, because those who follow Jay County had seen this movie before.

Hallie and Karsyn Schwieterman each finished one point short of their career highs and combined for 57 points in the Jay County High School girls basketball team’s 75-58 win over the New Castle Trojans.

“We came out and gave them a one-two punch, and I didn’t really ever feel like they could recover from that,” said Jay County coach Sherri McIntire. “Our defense is probably the best defense that we’ve played all season … We challenged the kids. This is a sectional opponent, we want to send a message, and I think they responded to that challenge, and just very proud of the kids.”

No one took McIntire’s words to heart with more fervor than the Schwieterman sisters. Hallie’s 31 points marked a new season high. The elder Schwieterman shot 12-for-17 from the field, barely outpacing Karsyn, who made 10 of her 16 shots on the way to a 26-point evening.

The duo made their presence felt right from the start, giving the Patriots the lead on the first possession of the game when Hallie found Karsyn on the perimeter for a 3-pointer. Jay County didn’t surrender that edge all game and swelled its advantage to 26-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Jay County’s wire-to-wire dominance was significantly different from last season’s clash with New Castle (4-6), where the Patriots (6-3) needed overtime to scrape out a 64-54 win.

“The energy of our team was so good today, and we all came into the gym so locked in,” Hallie Schwieterman said. “… We were projected to lose by three. I think that lit a fire in a lot of us because we knew that we could beat this team by 20, and I think we’re capable of doing that to a lot of the teams on our schedule.”

Hallie and Karsyn Schwieterman were as vital a part of Jay County’s torrid start as they were to the rest of the night. The sisters combined for 16 first-quarter points, but weren’t the only Patriots to excel early.

Though she played sparingly throughout the rest of the game while hampered by foul trouble, Elizabeth Brunswick was essential to setting the tone. The sophomore converted four baskets at the rim to finish the quarter with eight points.

“I know she got in foul trouble, but boy, when she was in the game in that first quarter, she was a part of that one-two punch big time, and very pleased with her,” McIntire said.

Also chipping in for the Patriots was Raylah Newton, who celebrated her 18th birthday with a nine-point outing. Natalie May also tacked on one point at the free throw line, ensuring that all five Jay County starters scored in the game.

Though the starters accounted for all 75 of Jay County’s points, depth isn’t a concern for McIntire. She praised the efforts of reserves Claudia Dirksen and Charlee Peters, who combined for nine rebounds off the bench despite failing to score.

“I’m very comfortable with seven players, and I feel like I can rotate those seven,” McIntire said. “Obviously, Karsyn and Liz (Brunswick) and Hallie are going to get the majority of our minutes, but I won’t hesitate with those other girls either. They’re learning, and their confidence is growing.”

The Patriots’ burgeoning confidence likely isn’t confined to the second unit. Jay County has now won five straight games, the team’s longest streak since it rattled off 20 consecutive wins en route to a sectional finals appearance in 2023-24.

“I’m very proud of my team, and they keep me going, and they pick me up,” Karsyn Schwieterman said. “And yeah, just makes me a better player.”