Bluejay Basketball
Bluejays Win Mid-State Championship Title
by Cayce Carlson
The varsity Bluejays won the Mid-State championship title against the Cardinals of Boone Central-Newman Grove by going into double-overtime, resulting in a 63-62 score on Saturday, February 2, at Northeast Community College.
During the first quarter, the Jays were able to come out ahead by five points. Logan Moeller shot a three-pointer, and teammate Dawson Watts scored six points; a three-pointer, a two-pointer, and one free throw. Gavin Larson was able to score a three-pointer, as well, and Dalton Freeman shot a two-pointer. Carter Rohrich also aided the Jays with a two-pointer. Going into the second quarter, the Jays were up 16-11.
Coming out of the first eight minutes, the Bluejays were fired up. Larson was able to shoot another three-pointer, Jadon Magdanz scored two two-pointers, Carson Oestreich scored a two-pointer, and Rohrich was able to score two two-pointers. The Cardinals managed only 11 points on the Jays’ defense, and going into halftime, the Jays were up 29-22.
Coming out of halftime, the Cardinals outscored the Jays to close the gap and tie things up. Offensively, Larson shot yet another three-pointer, Oestreich shot a two-pointer, and Freeman scored a three-pointer. Going into the fourth, the score was 37-37.
In the fourth quarter, both the Jays and the Cardinals scored 15 points as Larson was able to sink two three-pointers and one two-pointer, Watts scored four points, Oestreich got one point on a free throw, and Rohrich scored two points. The game was sent into overtime with a score of 52-52.
Going into overtime, the Jays were ready to battle the game out. Oestreich added two points to the score, and Watts put up another two-pointer. Freeman was also able to score a two-pointer. The Cardinals matched the Jays’ efforts on offense, and with both teams scoring six points, the Jays were going into a second overtime.
In another four minutes of overtime, the Jays were able to put up a strong fight against the Cardinals and held them to four points. On the offensive end, Watts was able to score two points, and Larson won the game by shooting a three-pointer. The Jays finished the thriller winning 63-62.
Coach Mike Emory said, “The boys competed hard for four quarters and just would not quit, even when it looked difficult in the end.” He also said, “We as a coaching staff are very happy for this team because they have worked so hard and gone through a ton of adversity this year and have stayed together and worked extremely hard to reach one of their big goals on the season.”
The Jays’ next game will be Thursday, February 7, at West Point against GACC.
Varsity Jays Soar Over Knights
by Faith Lubischer
Competing to advance to the Mid-States final game, the varsity boys basketball team took on the Norfolk Catholic Knights on Friday, February 1, at Northeast Community College.
The Jays’ scoring was pretty spread out in the first quarter. Dawson Watts, Jadon Magdanz, Carson Oestreich, Dalton Freeman, and Carter Rohrich each made one two-point shot, and adding to Rohrich’s stats, he also had one free throw. By the end of the first quarter, the Jays had outscored the Knights 11-8.
Keeping the game within three points, the Jays ended the second quarter with a score of 20-17. Bringing together the Jays’ nine points this quarter were Logan Moeller with a three-pointer, Gavin Larson with a two-point shot, and Freeman with one two-point shot and two free throws.
Coming out of halftime, the Jays had their highest-scoring quarter, racking up 17 points to the Knights’ 11. Freeman scored two two-point shots, and Oestreich also had two two-point shots and two free throws. Leading the Jays in points this quarter was Larson with two two-point shots and one three-pointer. The score at the end of the third quarter was 37-28.
The Jays kept their lead during the fourth quarter by putting up 13 points to cover the Knights’ 15. Scoring these points were Larson with a three, Watts with five free throws, Oestreich with two free throws, and Freeman with one free throw and one two-point shot to end the game with a score of 50-43 to send the Jays to the Mid-States championship.
Coach Mike Emory recapped the game by saying, “Both teams played hard and competed for four quarters. Our run at the beginning of the third was the key.”
The Jays’ next game will be played against the Wynot Blue Devils at home on Tuesday, February 5 around 7:30.
Varsity Bluejays Surmount Trojans
by Autumn Hanna
The Pierce Bluejays prevailed over top-seeded Hartington Cedar Catholic Trojans in their second Mid-State tournament game at Northeast Community College on Tuesday, January 29. The final score of the night tallied up to be 61-43.
In the first quarter, Carson Oestreich got the game going by making the first layup of many more to come. Following up Oestreich, Dawson Watts made a shot from behind the free throw line to add another point. Oestreich then threw up another two-pointer, and Watts hit another two. To wrap up the quarter, Watts nailed his second free throw of the night. HCC kept the Jays’ defense on their toes and outscored them by one in the first quarter to end it with a score of 10-11, Trojans.
Rolling into the second quarter, Oestreich put in two more layups, and Watts also hit another two-pointer. Launching up two more points was Dalton Freeman, followed by Oestreich with yet another two-pointer for the team. Gavin Larson drained a three to conclude the first half of the game. The Jays pushed offensively, but so did the Trojans, who managed eleven more points on the Jays’ defense. The score heading into the locker room was a close 23-22
After the halftime break, the Bluejays came out swinging and pulled away from the Trojans. Larson fired out two three-pointers to start off the intense quarter. Then, Larson went to the free throw line for another point. Jadon Magdenz fired up two more shots to add four more points. Taking another successful three-point shot was Larson, and Logan Moeller joined him by swishing a three of his own. The Jays took charge in the third quarter and allowed HCC to gain only 11 points to their 17. Going into the final quarter, the Jays were up 40-32.
Not seeming to stop pushing, the Bluejays started off the fourth quarter with Larson hitting a shot for two. The next five points were an accumulation of free throws: two from Oestreich, one from Larson, and two from Watts. Popping up two more points was Oestreich, followed by another free throw. Freeman matched Oestreich with a two-pointer and a free throw. Watts then made his fifth free throw of the night, and Larson banked another shot for two. Taking it to the line again, Freeman put in a free throw and Oestreich did the same, making two. To conclude the game, Tyler Race made the final two points. The Bluejays took complete charge in the final quarter with 21 additional points, while the Trojans put up just 11 to leave the final score at 61-43.
Coach Michael Emory said, “The boys played very well for four quarters. Offensively, we shared the ball and attacked the basket hard off the dribble.”
The Jays advanced their way through the conference tournament following this game. They will hit the court again on Thursday, February 7, in West Point as they take on GACC.
Junior High Boys Defeat Warriors
by Sarah Miller
The junior high boys’ basketball team traveled to Crofton on Monday, January 28, and took the win with the A-team winning 44-4 and the B-team winning 38-8.
Starting in the first quarter, the Bluejays came out strong, scoring 13 points to the Warriors’ three. Scoring for the Bluejays were Abram Scholting with three two-pointers and Ben Brahamer with a two. Trevin Larson added to the score with a two-pointer and a three. With the Jays holding the Warriors to just three points, the score at the end of the quarter was to 13-3.
In the second quarter, the Bluejays outscored their opponents 9-1. Scoring for the Bluejays were Brahmer and Colby Anderson with two points each. Trevin Larson also scored one two-pointer and one three. Heading into halftime, the score was 22-4.
After halftime, the Jays did not allow their opponents any more points in the game. The Bluejays stayed solid on offense, scoring 13 points in the third quarter courtesy of Tristan Kuehler, Addison Croghan, and Anderson each with one two-pointer, Brahmer with two two-pointers, and Scholting with a three. In the fourth quarter, the scorers for the Bluejays were Dawson Raabe and Deon Watts each scoring one two-pointer, and Bode Hoffmann scoring two two-pointers and a freethrow. The Bluejays sealed the win with a score of 44-4
The Bluejays started the B-team game off strong with nine points in the first quarter. Scoring for the Jays were Tristan Kuehler and Deon Watts each with two two-pointers and Trevin Larson with a free throw. The Bluejays had the lead 9-0 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Bluejays stayed strong on offense, scoring 15 points. Kuehler had a two-pointer, Watts had two two-pointers and two free throws, Travis Emory had a three, and Schuyler Simpson had two two-pointers. Heading into halftime the Bluejays were ahead 24-2 after the Warriors managed only one basket on the Jays’ defense.
Coming out of halftime, the Jays racked up 12 more points in the third quarter. Scoring for the Bluejays were Watts with three two-pointers, and Larson, Caleb Newman, and Simpson with a two apiece. With the Warriors sneaking in one more basket on the Jays, Pierce was on top 36-4 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the scoring slowed to two points for the Jays courtesy of Emory, and the Warriors put up two more baskets. The Jays’ commanding lead remained, however, and the final score for the game was 38-8.
The junior high boys play Creighton next on Thursday, February 7, at home.
JH Boys Play in Wayne Tournament
by Cayce Carlson
The junior high boys’ basketball team played in a tournament in Wayne, Saturday, January 26. The A Team defeated Wayne and lost to Norfolk Catholic, and the B Team defeated both Wayne and Norfolk Catholic.
The A Team played Norfolk Catholic first. During the first quarter, the Knights were able to come out on top, but that didn't stop the Jays from scoring. Abram Scholting scored two points, and Ben Brahmer scored two as well. With the Knights outshooting the Jays, going into the second quarter, the Jays were down 4-9. In the second quarter, the Jays were able to pick up their offense. Scholting scored four points, Colby Anderson scored a three-pointer, and Trevin Larson scored two points. The Jays were able to hold the Knights to only two points to take the lead 13-11. In the third quarter, the Knights outscored the Jays to regain the lead even after Scholting and Brahmer each scored two points. Going into the last quarter the score was 17-21. In the fourth quarter, the Jays were able to score eight points while the Knights scored six points, but despite their efforts, the Jays fell just short. Scoring for the Jays in the last quarter were Scholting with three points, Brahmer with one, and Anderson with a three-pointer. The final score was 25-27.
The A Team then took on Wayne. During the first quarter of the of the game against Wayne, the Jays were able to dominate and score 19 points. Scholting scored four points, Brahmer scored six, Dawson Raabe scored two, Anderson scored five, and Bode Hoffmann scored two. The Jays held Wayne to only four points to go into the second quarter 19-4. The second quarter of the game, the Jays were able to score ten points with Brahmer scoring two, Anderson scoring six, and Hoffmann scoring two. With Wayne racking up 12 more points, the score going into halftime was 29-16. In the third quarter, the Jays played hard, letting Wayne score only three points while Scholting scored three for the Jays, and Brahmer shot a three-pointer and a two-pointer. Anderson also scored two points, and Hoffmann scored two as well. Going into the last quarter, the score was 41-19. During the fourth quarter, the Jays and the Blue Devils both battled hard, but the Jays came out ahead. Scholting scored four points, Tristin Koehler scored one, and Raabe scored two. The final score of the game was 48-28.
The B Team also played in the tournament, and during the first quarter of their game against Norfolk Catholic, the Jays were able to score 11 points. Deon Watts scored four, Trevin Larson scored two, and Travis Emory was able to shoot a three-pointer and a two-pointer. Holding the Knights to only two points, the Jays were up 11-2 after one. In the second quarter, the Jays able stayed on top by scoring seven more points. Emory was able to shoot another three-pointer, and Koehler added two points to the score. Schuyler Simpson was also able to score two points. Going into halftime the Jays were up 18-9. Coming out of halftime, the Jays were able to hold the Knights to just two points while scoring eight of their own from Watts. The score going into the last quarter was 26-11. In the fourth quarter, the Jays scored six points. Simpson added two points, and Larson added four. The Jays were victorious with a score of 32-18
In the B Team’s next game against Wayne, the jays were able to score 15 points in the first quarter. Deon Watts scored seven, and Travis Emory had a three-pointer and one free throw for a total of four points. Trevin Larson also scored two points, and Schuyler Simpson contributed two, as well. The Jays held Wayne to only three points in the first, so going into the second quarter, the Jays were up 15-3. Coming out of the first quarter with a 12-point lead, the Jays were able to keep dominating. Tristin Koehler scored two points, Watts scored six, Trevon Larson scored four, and Emory added another two to the scoreboard. With Wayne scoring only eight points, the Bluejays were stayed on top with a score of 29-11. In the third quarter, the Jays kept the ball rolling. Watts scored five points, Larson made a three-pointer and a two-pointer, and Simpson contributed two points as well. Coming out on top again in the third quarter, the Jays led 41-21. The fourth quarter of the game, the Jays scored 14 points. Koehler scored two points, and Emory was able to shoot another three-pointer. Simpson scored four points, and Larson nicked in a free throw for one. Watts also contributed to the Jays’ total with four points. The final score for the game was 55-27
Next junior high game will be Thursday, February 7, against Creighton at home.
