The Junction City Blue Jays ( 8-10 ) used as stingy zone defense to hold off the Emporia Spartans ( 6-12 ) 51-44 in double overtime Friday night at the Shenk Gym.

Junction City overcame cold shooting during the game and problems at the free throw line in the latter part of the fourth quarter and the overtimes to get the win, outscoring the Spartans 11-4 in the final overtime.

Blue Jay coach Pat Battle said his team was not very good on offense. “Not that we couldn’t run things, we just didn’t hit shots. We were just ice cold, and it stayed that way with a few stretches and a few key big shots .”

Battle said the key to the win was the play  by Junction City on defense. “I think we really flustered them with the zone. Our kids worked very very hard, they were very active, and we got some big rebounds there in the second overtime.”

TJ Poole led the Blue Jays with 14 points in the contest.

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In the girls game Emporia ( 13-5 ) rolled to a 62-42 win over Junction City ( 2-16 ).

Lady Jay coach Derek Petty said Emporia was a tough team. “They execute what they do very well. They take smart shots and protect the ball.”

A’kia Fain led Junction City with 11 points.

It was senior night at JCHS.