The Junction City Blue Jays used an agressive, pressing defense enroute to an 87-71 season opening win over the Dodge City Red Demons on Friday night at the Shenk Gym.

The Blue Jays forced turnovers and showed an impressive game in the win. Four Junction City players scored in double figures including A.J. Dickerson with 21 points followed by Darrin Battiste with 16, Qua’vez Humphreys 14 and Aaron Hamilton with 11 points.

Blue Jay coach Nick Perez said the team played really well at times, but needs to get better defensively. “We’ve got to get better defensively but I thought for our first game we played pretty well.”

Perez added, “I was proud of our guys you know they pressed the whole game. For being the first one that’s pretty because you’re not in your basketball shape.” One concern for Junction City was the substantial number of fouls they committed in the game.

The Blue Jays play at Great Bend on Tuesday.

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The Junction City Lady Jays opened their season Friday night with a 55-22 loss to Dodge City at the Shenk Gym.

The inexperienced Lady Jay team trailed by 17 at halftime and did not score in the third quarter.

Lady Jay coach Derek Petty noted his team did not shoot the ball very well. “I think we started the game decently but then we kind of got a little tired. We didn’t play defense as well as we’re capable of playing. Ee gave up a lot of easy baskets, missed some easy shots, and that’s not a good formula to win a basketball game.”

The Lady Jays play at Great Bend on Tuesday.