A shaky third quarter proved to be too much for the Junction City Blue Jays ( 10-10 ) to overcome in their 61-55 loss to the Emporia Spartans in Emporia Friday evening.

Junction City led 29-26 at halftime but in the third quarter the Spartans outscored Junction City 19-6 enroute to the win. Blue Jay coach Nick Perez referred to the play in that period. “We act like we haven’t seen a half court trap before. It’s just frustrating because you’ve got guys that have got to step up in the third quarter and we didn’t. ” Perez added it was frustrating for both him and the players, and the team played hard the entire game.

Junction City played without their leading scorer A.J. Dickerson, who was held out due to a knee injury. he has been averaging 20.5 points per game. It’s unknown if he will be able to play when the Blue Jays meet Lawrence Free State in the Class 6A Substate Tournament on Wednesday in Lawrence.

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The Junction City Lady Jays had a tough time in Emporia Friday night, falling to the Spartans 52-13.

Junction City ( 0-20 ) will meet Wichita West in a Class 6A Substate Tournament play-in game at 6 p.m. Monday in Wichita.