Knapp puts Patriots to bed

ARCADIA — The Patriots didn’t have any trouble scoring against the Huskies. The problem resided in trying to contain Rees Knapp.

Jay County High School’s boys basketball team gave up 25 points to Knapp as it fell to sectional-foe Hamilton Heights 72-64 on Tuesday.

The Husky junior scored at least five points in each period, including eight to power a 14-point fourth quarter to stave a Jay County (10-9) comeback. 

JCHS gave up 22 points in the first quarter, as three Huskies (12-8) scored at least two buckets, including Gavin Saunders who had eight of his 13. The Patriots only managed 11 in the period before going down 39-21 at the intermission.

Both teams scored 19 points in the third quarter to preserve HHHS’ 18-point lead. Jay County managed to put up 24 points in the final period, but the deficit was too much to overcome. Tucker Griffin hit a trio of 3-pointers to lead JCHS in the period.

Gradin Swoveland was Jay County’s leading scorer with 18 points, followed by Griffin and Eli Dirksen with 13 each. (All of Dirksen’s buckets came in the second half.)

Cole Forthofer was the only other Patriot in double figures, scoring 10 points, while Jayden Comer had eight and Brock Wasson hit one shot.

Along with Knapp and Saunders, Jack Kakasuleff reached double figures with 14 points.

Jay County will travel to Ossian to take on Norwell tomorrow before finishing the final week of the regular season against Winchester and Bellmont.