The Junction City Blue Jays were SPECIAL in the fourth quarter Friday night in Emporia.

Junction City trailed 41-24 after three quarters, and appeared on the way to defeat. But when the final period began the Blue Jays began one of their biggest rallies in years. They battled back to defeat the Spartans 53-50!

Junction City scored more points in the fourth quarter alone, than they did in the rest of the game….29 in the fourth compared to 24  in the first three periods combined. The Blue Jays repeatedly stole the ball and forced Emporia turnovers with a tenacious full court, pressing, trapping defense, good rebounding, and in that final eight minutes bulls eye shooting. Junction City hit three 3-point baskets, had seven players score, and went 10-12 at the free throw line..

After a series of close losses this season it was an emotional victory for this Junction City team.

Blue Jay coach Pat Battle praised the effort of his team, noting they did not give up. It was an exciting win for the players.  But the coach admitted it was for him as well. “Borderline emotional…well no totally emotional. ”

Defense keyed the comeback for Junction City. Battle started calling timeouts to set his team’s defense early in the fourth quarter. The Blue Jays used a man to man defense…full court. “Mixed up our presses. We ran some full court diamond, then we ran some man trap, then we ran some 1-2-2 stuff, we did a variety of things. I think that kind of confused them. ”

Junction City ( 5-13 ) snapped a five game losing streak with the win, with four of the five losses during that streak coming by three points or less. Emporia ( 9-9 ) was led by John Williams with 25 points. Ricardo Erans led the Blue Jays with 11 points and Tanner Lueker had 10,  with nine of those points coming in the fourth quarter.

The Blue Jays host Manhattan Tuesday night.