Bluejay Basketball
Launch the media gallery 1 playerVarsity Bluejays Compete with Braves
by Rhayna Waldner
The varsity Bluejays took on the Battle Creek Braves at home on Saturday, January 19. Unfortunately for the Jays, they fell to the Braves 33-42.
The Jays started off slow in the first quarter and scored only five points. Scorers this quarter were Dawston Watts with a shot for two, and Dalton Freeman with a three-point shot. Going into the second quarter, the score read 5-10.
In the second quarter, the Jays found their momentum and scored 12 points to the Braves’ nine. Freeman and Magdanz each added a shot for two, and Watts made a freethrow and a two-point basket. Also scoring this quarter was Carson Oestreich, who made two two-point shots and a free throw. Heading into halftime, the Jays trailed the Braves by only two points, leaving the score 17-19.
Coming out of halftime, the Jays were able to put up only three points while allowing the Braves 13. The only scorer this quarter was Gavin Larson, who put in a three-point basket. With only one quarter left to play, the score was 20-32.
In the final quarter of the game, the Jays outscored the Braves 13-10. Larson added two more three-point shots and Watts put in two two-point shots and a three point basket. Despite their efforts, the Braves managed to keep their lead this quarter, leaving the final score 33-42.
Assistant coach Tim Waldner said, “We continue to struggle offensively, and certain times defensively. At some point, we hope to see the team that practices well every day play well during games.”
The varsity Jays’ next game will be on Thursday, January 24, in Crofton.
JV Bluejays Defeat Braves
by Autumn Hanna
The junior varsity Bluejays took down the Battle Creek Braves at Pierce High School Saturday, January 19, with a final score of 36-21.
To start off the game, Weston Neitzke drained two threes to get the points rolling in. To follow up a hot start, Luke Collison made a free throw. Adding two more points with a layup was Moeller. Their competitors seem to struggle offensively to catch the Jays as they scored only four points. To bring the first quarter to a end, Moeller made another three-pointer, heading into the second with a 12-4 lead for the Bluejays.
In the second quarter, Shawn Rinkel threw up a layup for two points, and Zach Collison made two free throws. Banking yet another three pointer was Roth. To wrap up the first half, David Dale made one last layup. The Braves picked up a few more points in this quarter but still couldn’t catch up to the Jays with the first half score being 21-11.
After the halftime break, the Jays picked up right where they left off. Roth threw up a free throw to begin the third quarter. He then swished a three-pointer. Pulling in another three points was Luke Collison with a layup, then one free throw. Neitzke made his third three-pointer of the night, drawing the third quarter to an end. The Jays stayed on alert defensively and limited the Braves to three points, leaving the score at 32-14 going into the final minutes.
In the final quarter, Dale pulled in two more points with a layup. And for the last points of the night, Roth tossed in a layup for two more points. The Jays didn’t accumulate as many points as in previous quarters, but they we far enough ahead of the Braves that they ended up beating them with a concluding score of 36-21.
The JV Bluejays’ coach Tim Waldner said, “This group continues to play hard and figure things out as the game develops. I like the way they share the ball offensively and compete defensively.”
The Jays’ next game will be a home game on February 5 versus the Wynot Blue Devils.
C-Team Bluejays Defeat Gators
by Rhayna Waldner
The C-Team boys’ basketball team traveled to Wisner on Monday, January 14, to take on the Wisner-Pilger Gators. Coming out on top, the Jays defeated the Gators 36-25.
In the first quarter, the Jays were able to put up eight points. Zach Collison and Shawn Rinkle each put in a free throw, and Luke Collison put up a free throw of his own along with a two and three-point shot. Going into the second quarter, the score read 8-7 in favor of the Jays.
The Jays put up only five points in the second quarter while allowing the Gators six to tie things up 13-13. Lucas Gnat and L. Collison were the only Jays who scored in the second by making a three-point shot and a two-point shot, respectively.
Coming out of halftime, the Jays found their momentum in the third quarter and scored eight points and held the Gators to just one. Mason Sindelar added three points with one being a free throw, and Max Cooper put in two of his own. L. Collison also contributed to the score this quarter by making a three-point shot. With one quarter left to play, the score was 21-14.
The Jays picked up on their offense in the final quarter and scored 15 points. Ritter Oestreich put in a three-point shot, Sindelar put in two, and Rinkel added two more. L. Collison made a shot for two, and then went six for six from the free throw line. With the Jays finishing strong, they were able to come out on top 36-25.
“I was very proud of our second half,” said coach Zach Weber. “It was tied at halftime, and we were getting outplayed and overpowered. Physically, we didn't do much to stop them. They were winning the fights for rebounds and all the 50/50 balls. But, we challenged ourselves at the half to be tougher, and it resulted in a one-point third quarter for Wisner. That was the difference in the game.”
The C-Team Bluejays’ next game will be in West Point on Saturday, January 26, against Guardian Angels Central Catholic.
JH A-Team Soars Over Plainview
by Rose Graham
The junior high boys’ basketball A-team traveled to Plainview on January 17. The Bluejays triumphed over Plainview 64-8.
In the first quarter, Abram Scholting had two two-pointers and one free throw. Benjamin Brahmer and Dawson Raabe both scored two baskets for the Bluejays. Addison Croghan, Deon Watts, and Schuyler Simpson all scored two pointers, as well. The Bluejays took the lead to end the first quarter with a score of 19-0.
Scoring for the Bluejays in the second quarter were Brahmer with two two-pointers and two free throws, and Raabe and Bode Hoffmann each with a basket. With the Pirates managing two baskets, the Bluejays remained in the lead with a score of 29-4 going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Scholting scored a three-pointer and a two, and Tristan Kuehler and Trevin Larson both scored two-pointers. Brahmer scored three two-pointers, and Raabe scored two buckets, helping the Bluejays keep the lead with a score of 48-4.
In the final quarter, Croghan, Watts, and Gavin Sullivan all scored two-pointers. Travis Emory and Larson scored three-pointers for the Bluejays, and Simpson scored two baskets. Plainview managed another four points in the fourth, leaving the A team dominating Plainview with a score of 64-8.
The junior high boys’ next game is Thursday, February 7, at home against Creighton.
JH Jays Soar Over Knights
by Faith Lubischer
The junior high boys’ basketball teams defeated the Norfolk Catholic Knights in Norfolk on Monday, January 14.
The A-team started off the first quarter strong, outscoring the Knights 12-7. Ben Brahmer led the the Jays in scoring in the first quarter with one three-pointer and one two-point shot. Also adding to the score were Dawson Raabe with two two-point shots, Abram Scholting with one two-point shot, and Colby Anderson with one free throw. Although the Jays had a five-point lead at the end of the first quarter, the second quarter was a bit closer. Brahmer also had the most points in the second with two two-point shots, and following him was Raabe and Scholting who each had one two-point shot. Going into halftime, the Jays had the lead with a score of 20-17. Though the Jays were up by only three to begin the third quarter, by the end of this quarter they were winning against the Knights 30-19. Once again, Brahmer scored the most this quarter with three two-point shots, but close behind him was Scholting with one two-point shot and two free throws. To finish off the Knights, Scholting scored a total of eight points in the fourth quarter by making three two-point shots and two free throws to end the game with a score of 38-21, Jays.
The B-team then took the court and took the lead in the first quarter, but not by much. Deon Watts and Caleb Newman each had one two-point shot, ending the first with a score of 4-2. The Jays also outscored the Knights in the second quarter, but once again, only narrowly. Watts led the team in scoring this quarter with one three-pointer and one two-point shot. Travis Emory contributed to the teams score with one two-point shot as well. Remaining in a close game, the Jays led the Knights at half with a score of 11-7. Throughout the third quarter, Trevin Larson led the team in scoring with two two-point shots. Following him with three points were both Watts and Emory, but Watts had one two-point shot and a free throw while Emory hit a three-point shot. Schuyler Simpson added to the Jays’ 13 points this quarter as well by scoring one free throw. By the end of the third quarter, the Jays had extended their lead to 24-19. Tristan Kuehler led the Jays in points during the fourth quarter by hitting one free throw, one two-point shot, and one three-pointer, and also scoring this quarter was Watts with one two-point shot and one three-pointer. With the Jays’ defense holding strong and allowing the Knights only three points in the fourth, the Jays took the win with a score of 35-21.
The junior high boys’ next games will be in a tournament in Wayne on Saturday, January 26, that will begin at 9 a.m.
