The Blue Jay – Lady Jay basketball season tips off Friday evening in Dodge City.

Lady Jay coach Derek Petty likes the work and progress by his team the first three weeks of practice. “I think we’re pretty much where I thought we’d be right now, but again with some new faces and new things w3e’ve put in this year they’re getting it pretty quick and picking it up. Once we really get comfortable doing what we do people will see a Lady Jays team that they can really be proud of.”

Junction City will put some experience on the court in veteran returners Alana Kramer, Briona Jensen, Kiara Patty, Sara Kim and Ayi-Lissa Dotson. A newcomer, sophmore Gabrielle Martinez has been an early standout at point guard.

Junction City defeated Dodge City in the season opener a year ago 46-43.

In the boys game Junction City is led by first head coach Nick Perez, but he served as an assistant in the program last season. He expects to have a guard oriented team. “We’re going to use a lot of guards so I feel like we could play 10 guys. Devonte King could play a five, so if I had to put him in at a five I feel comfortable doing that. So if X ( Xavier Cason ) or Markel ( Samuel ) get in foul trouble, Devonte is smart enough to run everything.”

Some of the other players on the varsity who will play include Tye Dale, DeAndre Eaves, A.J. Dickerson, and Kody Westerhaus.

Dodge City is led by a new head coach, Tony Starnes, who steps into the job after a stint at North Hopkins High School in Texas. He succeeds Dennis Hamilton who retired after a 30-year stint as the head basketball coach at Dodge City High School.

Junction City defeated Dodge City in the season opener last season 48-32.

You can hear both games of the doubleheader on 1420 KJCK AM beginning with the girls contest at 6 p.m. and then followed by the boys game.